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.