The Cincinnati Reds made a relatively small splash before today’s MLB trade deadline by acquiring relief pitcher and Kansas City closer, Jonathan Broxton, according to Jerry Crasnick on ESPN.com.
In return, the Reds send minor league pitchers J.C. Sulbaran and Donnie Joseph to the Royals. Sulbaran has continued to put up solid numbers but is still a ways away from earning a shot in the bigs, while Joseph is a flame-throwing reliever that is expected to be in a Reds uniform later this season.
Broxton joins an already impressive collection of arms in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, that has seen Aroldis Chapman put up ridiculous numbers as Cincy‘s closer. With that being said, one must begin to wonder just what Broxton‘s role will be?
Chapman is and will remain the Reds’ closer for the time being, so Broxton will join Sean Marshall and Logan Ondrusek in the revolving door for set-up man and most likely be the go-to choice to close when Chapman is not available.
This move by Cincy could also be an attempt to free Chapman or Alfredo Simon up to start—in the instance that a rotation spot were to come available because of injury. In this case, Broxton could easily slide into and take over the spot at the end of the bullpen if needed.
Either scenario is a possibility and no matter which way it goes, Jonathan Broxton is going to bring some rather impressive numbers to the table. Through 35 appearances and 35.2 innings pitched this season with the Royals, he has posted a 2.27 ERA while notching 23 of 27 save attempts.
Broxton isn’t quite the power arm that he was early in his career, but he maintains the ability to be a very good and reliable piece to this 2012 version of the “Nasty Boys.”
While assessing this trade it would be mute to ignore the fact that this was the only move of significance the Reds made at the deadline.
Many will argue that relief pitching was not at the core of their immediate needs—I would happen to agree. But early on as trade rumors first began to fly, it was still a need—even with its’ current success.
The Reds have been rather lucky to avoid the injury bug to this point in the season with their arms. Insurance was needed—especially to open up Chapman or even Alfredo Simon to start if needed down the road.
The Reds were linked to many other players throughout the past two months and especially leadoff men like Denard Span, Shane Victorino and Juan Pierre.
It looks as though the price was just more than the Reds were willing to pay—and if the price wasn’t right, they were better off standing pat. Let’s just hope they are able to solve their leadoff issues in-house.
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