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Broxton is officially out as the team's closer as he was traded to the Reds right before the deadline.
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Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore is not exactly known for his savvy front office acumen when it comes to Major League trades. The Jonathan Sanchez for Melky Cabrera debacle is the latest in a series of questionable moves over the years that contradict his sharp eye for young players and ability to build a farm system. However, the opinions concerning his latest move of trading Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds for two young pitchers is earning high marks.
The Royals added AA starter J.C. Sulbaran and AAA reliever Donnie Joseph, and they both project as players who will help the Royals at the ML level for several years apiece. It's earned high marks all around, which is a change for the Royals to be on the better end of a deal -- even in perception alone.
Keith Law of ESPN profiles the two players and calls it a "solid return" for Broxton. John Sickels of Minor League Ball does the same and writes, "Both Joseph and Sulbaran are promising, and I think this was a good deal for the Royals."
Meanwhile, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan writes, "It was one of the best returns of any trade, shocking considering that Broxton probably won't pitch more than 20 innings for the Reds." Finally Craig Brown of Royals Review writes, "Evaluating minor league talent has always been, and remains, one of GMDM's strengths. Seems like it comes in handy when it's time to accumulate prospects at the trade deadline."
For more analysis on the Kansas City Royals moves (or lack of them) at the deadline, check out Royals Review.
Now that Jonathan Broxton officially plays for the Cincinnati Reds, you know my thoughts if you read my feature yesterday. I'll spare the details, as RoyalsRetro did a solid job reporting on the trade over at our sister website Royals Review.
I will say I am pleasantly surprised with the return, as the more I read up on Donnie Joseph and J.C. Sulbaran, the more I am intrigued by each player. Joseph is a left-handed reliever that is another option for the Royals to put in the bullpen alongside Tim Collins. Joseph may be more than just a LOOGY as well, as he has shown the ability to get both right and left-handed hitters out.
Sulbaran is a starter who will likely be another back end of the rotation starter, but has the stuff to be a #3 guy if he were to reach his ceiling. I am a big proponent of continuing to build the farm system, especially the pitching staff. Even if Joseph is simply another Tim Collins, this is a winning trade for the Royals.
Though Kansas City did look good on the field in Tuesday night's victory over the Cleveland Indians, it was a poor month of July for the boys in blue. This just added to point that it was wise to trade a closer who would be a free agent at the end of the year.
In closing, I have decided to include what I find as some of the more humorous statements I saw on both facebook and at the Kansas City Star's website in their mentions of the trade. Facing a tough season, enjoying a good laugh is healthy for everyone. Obviously I will not include any names, but here are my favorite 10 from facebook. I hope you enjoy getting the amusement out of them that I did. And always feel free to leave comments for us below as well-
10. Broxton certainly wasn't good, but we could have gotten a lot more than that.
9. Stupid move KC
8. WTH!!
7. Same old Royals. Toss away a valuable commodity for cheap prospects that keep operating costs in the black. Sell the team, Mr. Moore!
6. Great just like every other year, the Royals get someone for a bargain and then when they are doing good ship them off. Didn't work out to well for you with Melky Cabrera for Jonathon Sanchez did it Dayton
5. why do the royals always trade the best guys! obviously it hasent helped them so hold on to them.
4. Wow u guys would trade our closer good move dumbos!
3. here am i thinking Bronson Arroyo??? Mike Leake????? Matt Latos?????? of course the royals get two more young unproven players..
2. big mistake thanks glass family and dayton moore for ruining kc baseball
1. same ol royals
The Kansas City Royals' full haul from the trade of right hander Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds is a pair of minor league arms, according to the team's official Twitter account:
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 31, 2012
#Royals acquire LH reliever Donnie Joseph & RH starter J.C. Sulbaran from Reds for RHP Broxton. Joseph was pitching @ AAA, Sulbaran @ AA.
Sulbaran was a 30th round pick of the Reds from the 2008 draft and is currently 7-7 with a 4.04 ERA in AA in 19 starts. In 104 2/3 innings with 111 strikeouts and 54 walks. Joseph is 8-3 with 1.72 ERA in 44 relief appearances in AA and AAA combined. In 52 1/3 innings he has 68 strikeouts and 17 walks.
With Broxton's deal set to expire at the end of the year and the Royals languishing in the AL Central basement, Royals Review gives the K.C. front office credit for finding value in the closer:
Okay, its not a huge deal, but it makes sense considering Broxton is closing games for a last place club going nowhere and is a free agent in two months. Some credit has to be given to Dayton Moore for acquiring Broxton in the first place, even though most of us said "huh? But we already have bullpen depth and a great closer in Joakim Soria!" Good relievers always have value at the trade deadline, and there were more than a few teams interested in Broxton leading up to the deadline.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
The Kansas City Royals finally traded Jonathan Broxton at the MLB trade deadline to the Cincinnati Reds, a late entry into the field of those rumored to be interested. Now the terms have been disclosed as the Royals receive J.C. Sulbaran in return for their closer this season.
Sulbaran was the Reds 30th round selection in the 2008 MLB Draft. Now 22-years-old, Sulbaran is currently 7-7 with a 4.04 ERA in AA for Cincy.
Broxton was one of the better free agent signings for Dayton Moore over the years with a 1-2 record to go with a 2.27 ERA and 23 saves while taking over for Joakim Soria, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery earlier this season.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
The Kansas City Royals have finally traded their man Jonathan Broxton if Ken Rosenthal is correct with only 30 minutes to go before the MLB trade deadline. The New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers were all rumored to be interested in the Royals closer, but now it appears that the Reds have cemented their 'pen for a stretch run that should take them far given how hot the team appears in the second half.
Source:
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2012#Reds get Broxton.
Rosenthal had already reported the Reds initial interest, so a deal seemed imminent at this point. Broxton brings another strong closing option to a team that already has Sean Gallagher and Aroldis Chapman. Details of the deal will be forthcoming.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
Jonathan Broxton is going to be the man of the next hour -- make that half hour -- given the time left in the MLB trade deadline and numerous teams could use bullpen help for the stretch run. A reliever such as Broxton is not only a cheap, one year commitment, but he's also a veteran presence with the ability to close out games. That's why the Kansas City Royals are hoping someone will pay a nice bounty, such as the Cincinnati Reds.
Sources:
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2012#Reds trying to get Broxton from#Royals.#Rangers are out on Broxton. Other teams in play.
Broxton is 1-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 23 saves so far on the season.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
Of all of the teams interested in Kansas City Royals closer Jonathan Broxton, the Texas Rangers are the ones who seem to be into the idea of acquiring him the most just hours before baseball's trade deadline strikes. The Giants and Mets were also rumored to be interested, among others, but it is the Rangers who keep coming back to the idea per sources around MLB.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2012
#rangers still has interest in broxton. kc might not be overwhelmed by offers so far. could still stay.
It would be silly for the Royals to keep Broxton unless the offers really were that underwhelming for a prospect or asset that would not make the Major League roster. Broxton's deal is a one-year deal intended to rehab his image and warrant a longer deal next offseason. Broxton has done just that, so the Royals need to gain something of use for their long-term plans here.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
The MLB trade deadline is near and the news for the Kansas City Royals, at least so far, is the calm over the newswire at this point. Despite a losing record and the presence of veterans like Jonathan Broxton, Jose Mijares and others who could help a competitive team, the Royals have yet to make a move which has fans wondering what exactly they should expect.
An outfielder like Jeff Francoeur is easily traded after the deadline since no team would ever claim his contract with his current production. For now the team is likely to hang onto the right fielder and hope his performance improves to gain at least something from him, since Wil Myers is the long-term answer at the position.
Expect one of the veteran relievers to make it out of KC despite the late notice. The Royals need a deep bullpen, veterans or not, given the state of their starting rotation, but moving at least one of those two makes more sense than not.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
The Kansas City Royals have several guys on the trading block according to the numerous MLB trade rumors out there before tomorrow's deadline, but the player most likely to move is likely Jonathan Broxton. Numerous teams have been interested, from the Orioles to the Giants, but now teams seem to be backing off. The Orioles especially have changed their stance, although "sources" giving information like this is often used as a smokescreen this time of year.
Told that
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 30, 2012#orioles were showing serious interest in KC reliever Jonathan Broxton over the weekend. Pretty aggressive. Not as much now though
Broxton was nearly an All-Star for the Royals as one of a handful of Final Vote candidates. Broxton is 1-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 23 saves.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
Kansas City Royals closer Jonathan Broxton has been the subject of many trade rumors over the past few weeks, and the latest is that Broxton could be heading to the Texas Rangers, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. The Royals are wanting to acquire young talent in exchange for Broxton:
In return for Broxton, the Royals are seeking a package of young starting pitchers that are close to MLB-ready. That wouldn't be a problem for the Rangers, who have a loaded farm system.
It is seeming more and more likely that Broxton will be traded before the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline, but it is a matter of what team he will be heading to.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion. Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes across the Major Leagues, and visit MLB Daily Dish for more trade rumors.
The Kansas City Royals have a few veteran players that they're likely to move -- or at least attempt to -- in the next two days before the 2012 MLB trade deadline, and Jonathan Broxton might be the most likely to go. The Royals signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal that has become a major bargain for a guy who was a fringe All-Star and closer for the team in Joakim Soria's absence. Now word is coming that the San Francisco Giants are interested.
According to a source the Giants have serious interest in Broxton (same type of source we usually use (ie. GM,AsstGM, MGR, Prez or owner))
— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) July 29, 2012
The Giants have been connected to a number of relievers as the deadline approaches, including Brandon League of the Seattle Mariners.
Broxton is 1-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 23 saves.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.
There have been a number of blockbuster deals already consummated in Major League Baseball in the past week, with Hanley Ramirez going from the Miami Marlins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and former Royals Cy Young winner Zack Greinke going from the Brewers to the Angels.
Plenty of rumors have surrounded the Royals, and notably closer Jonathan Broxton, but according to KC general manager Dayton Moore, no trades are imminent.
General manager Dayton Moore said "it's business as usual" with conversations with a lot of teams.
"Our focus hasn't changed," he said. "We want to do everything in our power to give our team an opportunity to win, not only today but into the future, so anything that we do would be predicated on building and adding to this current group of young, talented players."
Jeff Francoeur, Jose Mijares, and Yuniesky Betancourt have also surfaced in rumors, in addition to Broxton. It's believed that Broxton, a former All-Star closer with the Dodgers, will bring in the most in a trade.
For more on the Royals, head over to Royals Review.
Jonathan Broxton is the current Royals closer and perhaps their most dependable pitcher. He's also the most likely to be traded. After signing this offseason with Kansas City on a one-year deal, the team is now out of contention and likely to sell off at least one or two veteran parts for future assets if possible. Several contenders are apparently interested in bolstering their bullpen.
ESPN's Jason Churchill writes, "Among the contenders believed to be in the market for relief help that could be fits for Broxton include the Los Angeles Angels. Clubs such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Pirates, Cardinals, Nationals and Reds could also have some interest in the relief market."
Broxton is currently 1-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 23 saves on the season. After taking over for injured closer Joakim Soria, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery, Broxton has been better than advertised in the role.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.
The San Francisco Giants had been one of the teams checking in on the Kansas City Royals bullpen and specifically targeting Jonathan Broxton with their scouts to bolster their own pen for the stretch run. Apparently they didn't like what they see enough to believe he would make the difference as they are now looking elsewhere.
Giants still looking for bullpen help. Had some interest in K-Rod...until they saw him the other day. And they don't see Broxton as answer.
— DKnobler (@DKnobler) July 25, 2012
The Royals could also offer up a lefty like Jose Mijares, who is enjoying a career season after coming over from the Minnesota Twins. However, the Giants have likely moved on. Given the strong season that Broxton has enjoyed as the unexpected closer for the Royals, other teams will still inquire this offseason. The New York Mets were also rumored to be interested, and any such talks will likely intensify as the MLB trade deadline draws closer.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.
The Kansas City Royals have assets on both sides to move at the upcoming trade deadline. They could become buyers despite their losing record if the right starting pitcher came along with team control for another year or two with the prospect depth they have built. On the other hand, they also have some veteran assets to sell for parts including bullpen arms like Jose Mijares and Jon Broxton. One rumor has them checking on adding a great pitcher: the Marlins Josh Johnson.
Jayston Stark has the latest column up about a number of trade rumors, and he says the Miami Marlins are very reluctant to let their starter go given his history of production. However the team has also been selling off other assets in recent days, including Hanley Ramirez. The Royals are listed among the teams inquiring about his availability.
Stark writes, "The list of clubs that are likely to make a run at this guy -- or already have -- includes the Red Sox, Angels, Rangers, White Sox, Blue Jays and Royals. But the message they're hearing back from the Marlins is that Johnson is the toughest player on their roster to trade, with the possible exception of Giancarlo Stanton."
It would likely the cost the Royals a pretty penny to get Johnson. Wil Myers is likely out of the question, but the Royals could pony up a couple of other strong prospects to make it work. Johnson is signed through 2013 with a hefty $13.75 million price tag for next season.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.
Monday was a busy trade day across MLB. The Royals are looking to make some more moves, and have plenty of big-leaguers available, according to FOX's Ken Rosenthal.
Available #Royals, according to sources: Broxton, Mijares, Francoeur, Y. Betancourt.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2012
Jonathan Broxton has 22 saves and a 2.34 ERA this year and nearly was an All-Star. Jose Mijares has posted a 1.72 ERA in 46 appearances. Jeff Francoeur is hitting .247 with eight home runs. Yuniesky Betancourt is hitting .245 with seven home runs.
This was supposed to be a season in which the Royals could take a step forward and perhaps finish around .500. But they've been going through just another disappointing season, currently sitting fourth in the AL Central at 40-54.
For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Royals Review and join the discussion.