MLB.com‘s Anthony DiComo is the first to report that the New York Mets have traded outfielder Keon Broxton to the Baltimore Orioles. In return, the Mets are in line to receive $500K in international bonus pool space.
Broxton, 29, was designated for assignment last Thursday following a dismal 34-game showing as a reserve outfielder that featured a .143/.208/.163 line and .174 wOBA to go with a career-worst 41.5% strikeout rate. Known around the league for his defensive prowess, he wound up posting a -2 DRS.
It’s worth noting that the Mets’ acquisition of Broxton in January cost them right-hander Bobby Wahl as well as prospects Felix Valerio and Adam Hill. Valerio, a 17-year old second baseman from the Dominican Republic, posted a .319/.409/.433 line while stealing 16 bases in his first professional season last year. Meanwhile, Hill, a righty out of the University of South Carolina, managed a 2.35 ERA and 15.3 K/9 in his first season with Brooklyn.
Broxton’s ouster came hours after he expressed frustration with a lack of playing time, which in turn came minutes after he struck out on a Sean Doolittle fastball down the middle to leave the bases loaded in a 7-6 loss.
The outfielder was quoted as saying, “I’m not here to make excuses for anything, but I think everybody in this game knows it’s really hard to come off the bench and do it… From the start of the season, I’ve been surprised at why I haven’t been playing as much and why I haven’t gotten as many opportunities.” He will likely find more chances in Baltimore, where their center fielders have compiled a .193 average and -2.5 UZR – good for just 25th and 26th in the majors, respectively.
As Tim Healey of Newsday notes, the $500,000 will be applied to the 2018-2019 signing period that ends on June 15, giving the team 25 days to use the money.
