Sources: Royals willing to move Broxton
The Kansas City Royals have signaled to teams that they are willing to move closer Jonathan Broxton, major league sources told FOXSports.com.
The Royals entered Thursday with deficit of 7-1/2 games in the American League Central and 0.4 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, according to the most recent Baseball Prospectus postseason odds calculation. Thus, the Royals are viewed as a likely seller at this month’s non-waiver trade deadline.
Broxton, with a 2.05 ERA and 20 saves, is one of the team’s most marketable commodities. In Kelvin Herrera and Aaron Crow, the Royals have two options to close if and when Broxton is traded. Next year, the organization hopes Joakim Soria will be back after arm surgery.
Broxton, in many ways, is the ideal deadline pickup for teams in need of bullpen help. He earns a reasonable salary — roughly $2 million for the rest of this year, along with up to $1 million in performance bonuses — and has postseason experience with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s eligible for free agency after this season.
The New York Mets, who entered Thursday with the worst bullpen ERA in the majors, are one potential suitor for Broxton.
— Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal
