2012 MLB Free Agents: Royals Sign Jonathan Broxton
By Editorial Staff
Yesterday it was rumored that free agent reliever Jonathan Broxton was close to signing with a team not named the Dodgers. It turns out that Broxton will still don blue and white in 2012, as the Kansas City Royals announced today that they have reached a one-year agreement with Broxton.
The Royals have guaranteed Broxton $4 million in 2012 while including another $1 million in incentives in his new contract. Kansas City has indicated that the former closer will work as the Royals setup man next season. Broxton will team up with closer Joakim Soria to give the Royals a potentially formidable back end of the pen.
The 27-year-old Broxton had his 2011 season cut short by injury. The right-hander only appeared in 14 games for the Dodgers, maintaining a 5.68 ERA over his 12 2/3 innings pitched. From 2006-09, Broxton posted an ERA of 2.79 while compiling 55 saves for LA.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore told reporters that his club is “delighted to add someone as talented” as Broxton to their bullpen. Moore believes Broxton “will help solidify” what he already sees as “a young and talented bullpen”.
Similar to the Joe Nathan-to-Rangers deal, Broxton’s addition will allow the Royals to move Aaron Crow into their starting rotation. Crow was drafted as a starter and came up through the Royals system as such, but the right-hander spent the entire 2011 season pitching out of the Royals pen.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Kings of Kauffman.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.