Milwaukee Brewers bring Keon Broxton back for homecoming

It is a homecoming of sorts, as the Milwaukee Brewers have brought Keon Broxton back on a minor league deal.

Back on January 5, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Keon Broxton to the New York Mets in exchange for Bobby Wahl and minor leaguers Adam Hall and Felix Valerio. That began a three team odyssey for Broxton that led to his being sold to the Orioles for international bonus money, and then ending the season in Seattle after being selected off of waivers.

And now, approximately 11 months after his journey began, Broxton is coming home. The Milwaukee Brewers have brought their former outfielder back on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Before the 2017 season, it seemed likely that Broxton would be a key part of the Brewers future. He had displayed some pop in his bat to go along with decent speed, leaving Milwaukee to dream of a five tool player in center. That year showed some of that ability, as he hit 20 homers and stole 21 bases, but also produced a .220/.299/.420 batting line. When the Brewers signed Lorenzo Cain to a five year deal, Broxton became expendable.

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Broxton did not perform well after being taken out of the every day lineup, struggling in his 50 games with Milwaukee in 2018. Those struggles continued last year, as he produced a horrendous .167/242/.275 batting line in 228 plate appearances. Some of those tools were still there, as he hit six homers and stole ten bases, but the bat was gone.

The Brewers do need some outfield depth, especially with their trade of Trent Grisham on November 27. And Broxton still has four years of team control, as he has not yet gone through the arbitration process. One can certainly understand the signing.

Yet, one also has to question whether or not Broxton will ever be able to become a viable major league asset again. His power and speed are enough to make him intriguing, but at 30 years old this season, his chances are going to start running out. In fact, this return to Milwaukee may prove to be his final chance.

Keon Broxton is going home to the Milwaukee Brewers. Perhaps this will jumpstart a career that has been stuck in neutral.