The Baltimore Orioles are hoping that lightning strikes twice, as they have taken a relatively low cost flier on outfielder Keon Broxton.
Before the start of the season, the Baltimore Orioles took a flier on a formerly well regarded outfielder who had fallen out of favor with his team. Dwight Smith Jr. had been placed on waivers before the Orioles acquired him for international bonus money on March 8. Since then, he has emerged as a viable major league option, currently ranking third amongst regulars with a 108 OPS+.
Baltimore is hoping that lightning strikes twice, as they have acquired another formerly well regarded outfielder. Keon Broxton is heading to the Orioles, with $500,000 in international bonus money being sent to the New York Mets.
The Orioles have acquired OF Keon Broxton from the New York Mets in exchange for International Signing Bonus Slots and claimed RHP Chandler Shepherd off waivers from the Chicago Cubs and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 22, 2019
Broxton had been a disaster in his time with the Mets. While he appeared in 34 games, he had just 53 plate appearances, with a .143/.208/.169 batting line. He still showed some speed, swiping four bases in five attempts, but his one double was his lone extra base hit on the season.
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It was not that long ago that Broxton was looked upon as an intriguing piece in the outfield. In 2017, he produced a relatively disappointing .220/.299/.420 batting line, but hit 20 homers and stole 21 bases. Those numbers illustrated the intriguing blend of power and speed that he displayed during his minor league career.
However, with the Brewers acquisition of Lorenzo Cain in free agency prior to the 2018 season, Broxton was expendable. He spent most of the year in AAA before returning to the majors as a fourth outfielder, a role he served in New York this season as well.
At this point, the international bonus pool money almost does not matter. There is just a month and a half left before the pools reset anyway, and Yolbert Sanchez is the only prospect of any significance that is yet to sign. Even with this trade, the Orioles still have the most money available in the international spending pool.
This really is a low cost move for Baltimore. They have holes in the outfield, particularly in center, where the grouping of Joey Rickard, Cedric Mullins, and Stevie Wilkerson have not exactly forced anyone to consider them as options this year. Mullins could still be a part of the future, but Wilkerson and Rickard are backups at best. Broxton has a chance to reestablish himself as a viable every day player.
The Baltimore Orioles are giving Keon Broxton a chance to prove himself once again. If they are right, it will be another bargain move on the trade market.