MLB Trade Rumors: Royals May Be Shopping Jonathan Broxton

According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Royals are open to trading Jonathan Broxton.  Broxton

became the impromptu closer for the Royals when their stud closer Joakim Soria went down to Tommy John surgery.

The Royals have not been competitive this year, and once again they will be sellers this year. Broxton could bring back some nice talent for the Royals to help in their perennial rebuilding project.  Broxton is a free agent at the end of this season, so he would likely be attractive to teams in the hunt as a half-season rental.  The Royals will get Soria back next year if the Royals choose to bring him back.  They have a team option for 2013 and another for 2014.

So far this season, Broxton has 21 saves with a 1.99 ERA.  He is has a K/9 ratio of 6.5 and a BB/9 ratio of 3.4.  Those aren’t quite the best numbers, but his ERA is attractive.  Broxton has a career ERA of 3.10 and has 105 saves in eight Major League seasons.

Broxton has had his ups and downs, most recently were two down seasons in Los Angeles.  He posted an ERA of 5.68 last season and an ERA of 4.04 ERA in 2010.  Overall, though he had a 3.19 ERA in his time with the Dodgers.

Teams that may be interested include the New York Mets, the San Francisco Giants, and the Miami Marlins.  Each has some need in the bullpen.  The Mets have the worst bullpen ERA in the league, but the Giants have been without Brian Wilson all year and the Marlins have seen some significant struggles from Heath Bell.

Broxton’s contract is not cost-prohibitive for any team interested.  He is making just $4 million this year, meaning he will be due approximately $2 million from any team who picks him up for a second-half run.

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