Brewers acquire Broxton from Reds

[Roderick]

I don't think the brewers gave up too much. This reminds me a little of the K-Rod deal (but we are taking on an additional season this time). We were worried about the player going back and it turned out to be no one. I think the Reds wanted to dump his salary so bad they traded him inside the division with a year left.

 

 

I think the Broxton trade will come down to if we make the playoffs this year. If we do and he helps us, obviously it's worth it. If we don't and we're spending 11 million on him for one year....it's probably going to sting a little bit. Especially if it means we can't bring back Aram for example.

 

The Brewers have the funds for Aram. Think of it this way, we are replacing Weeks cost on the books with Broxton next year and coming out a couple mill ahead.

 

I don't have any idea if there is a 1B out there that is worth big money that the Brewers would be looking at, but I doubt Melvin would have pinched the pennies on a closer so either way, they would have spent that money on a closer, now it is Broxton instead of KRod.

 

I don't know how Broxton is doing, but it seems his numbers are pretty good for pitching in Cincy, and if that is the case, the Brewers would probably pick up his 2016 option for a net cost of $7M.

[patrickgpe]

I don't know how Broxton is doing, but it seems his numbers are pretty good for pitching in Cincy, and if that is the case, the Brewers would probably pick up his 2016 option for a net cost of $7M.

 

He still hasn't pitched for the brewers, but had a rough august

[jerichoholicninja]

No reason Broxton can't be trade this offseason either. He'll be in demand especially if he finishes strong. I wouldn't expect much in return but he could be used to sweeten a deal if Fiers or Nelson or another starter is involved.

[logan82]

If he finishes strong no way he gets traded. Not how DM operates.

[monty57]

The Brewers have the funds for Aram. Think of it this way, we are replacing Weeks cost on the books with Broxton next year and coming out a couple mill ahead.

 

I don't have any idea if there is a 1B out there that is worth big money that the Brewers would be looking at, but I doubt Melvin would have pinched the pennies on a closer so either way, they would have spent that money on a closer, now it is Broxton instead of KRod.

 

I agree on the closer part. There was little doubt we were spending money on a closer this offseason, whether that be giving K-Rod a raise to stay or finding someone else. Broxton looks to be that someone else. We now have a net increase of around $5.75MM in paying Broxton $9MM next year vs K-Rod's $3.25MM this year. Picking up the option or not will go towards 2106. We'll still be net positive with the probable departures of Estrada ($3.325MM), Weeks ($12MM), Reynolds ($2MM) and Overbay ($1.5MM).

 

I'm sure Melvin has a good idea as to what will happen with Ramirez, and that will really determine our future path. If we miss the playoffs this season, and Ramirez leaves via free agency, we will have some money to spend, but is it possible to use that money to fill all the holes to be a playoff contender? We would need a 1B and 3B for sure. We could also use some bullpen arms and if we are "going for it," we should find a SS, relegating Segura to utility/RH platoon 2B. Even with money to spend, I think that's a steep hill to climb.

 

If we hold on and make the playoffs this year, Attanasio/Melvin will probably look at things differently, and go for it no matter what. But, if we fall flat and miss, they may think it's time to "re-tool." In that case, Gallardo, Lohse and now Broxton could all have some value to get some young talent. It'll be interesting to see how things will play out.

[reillymcshane]

Melvin loves having his closer situation settled. He has gone with a 'proven' guy for as long as I can remember. When the proven guy fails, then someone else gets the chance (Axford, Henderson).

 

Unless the team resigns K-Rod for a reasonable rate, I doubt Broxton is dealt. He's Melvin's security blanket. No way he goes into 2015 relying on Henderson or one of our other guys as the closer.

 

Broxton (closer)

Smith

Jeffress

Henderson

Thornburg

Jimmy Nelson (at this point, I'm betting our rotation is Peralta, Gallard, Garza, Lohse and Fiers. Nelson gets moved up if there is an injury in spring training, but otherwise, his power arm will serve the bullpen well.)

Ariel Pena (he's out of options, so he either makes the club or is likely gone. I think his power arm plays well from the bullpen, and the limited pitches will help him with his control - which as been a big issue.)

Kintzler

Wooten

 

I'm comfortable finding seven guys out of that to handle the bullpen.

 

In the minors you have some interesting arms that might be ready in 2015, including Blazek, Hellweg, Jungmann, Goforth and Cravy. Jungmann would likely be the next starter called up (we'll need him by 2016, when Yo and Lohse are free agents).

 

You could add in a veteran arm or two as minor league contracts if you want depth. Maybe a loogy as well. But you don't need to overspend.

[SRB]

So our 2015 closer is a guy with a >4.00 xFIP since 2010? That's going to turn out great.

[monty57]

So our 2015 closer is a guy with a >4.00 xFIP since 2010? That's going to turn out great.

 

But you don't understand... he's "proven" :-)

[reillymcshane]

So our 2015 closer is a guy with a >4.00 xFIP since 2010? That's going to turn out great.

 

But you don't understand... he's "proven" :-)

As sad as it sounds, that's the truth. Melvin has almost always gone into the season with a 'proven' closer. Henderson, Axford, Hoffman, Gagne, Cordero, Turnbow. Several of these guys became closers when the 'proven' guy failed, but he loves his veteran in the bullpen. Even when our team has sucked, he's paid for 'proven' closers.

 

I bet the team makes a run at K-Rod, but I doubt they cough up too much for him. His HR rate is bad and he's likely going to get a big offer. But if they can get him for a couple of years at $8 million or so a year, they might bring him back. But I don't think that will do it. Some team will over pay him for all of his saves.

[3and2Fastball]

Personally I think Jimmy Nelson could be a very strong closer at a fraction of the cost of K-Rod/Broxton

[trwi7]

Personally I think Jimmy Nelson could be a very strong closer at a fraction of the cost of K-Rod/Broxton

 

Okay, but you're wasting him there.

[monty57]

Personally I think Jimmy Nelson could be a very strong closer at a fraction of the cost of K-Rod/Broxton

 

I'd like Thornburg to get a shot at the rotation, but I think the Brewers view him as the closer of the future. Had he not gotten injured, the Broxton deal probably wouldn't have happened, but since it did, Thornburg will go back to the "setup guy" role prepping to take over when Broxton either fails or leaves after next year.

 

I'd be a little upset if Nelson, Thornburg and Smith all end up in the bullpen. That would mean more money spent on aging free agents to fill the rotation going forward when I have hopes of a mostly home-grown rotation. Relievers are cheaper to buy in free agency than starters, so we should give our promising young starters the opportunity to win a rotation spot. If Nelson and Thornburg both end up as relievers then I don't have high hopes for our future because they are the best or our young pitching.

[Roderick]

Personally I think Jimmy Nelson could be a very strong closer at a fraction of the cost of K-Rod/Broxton

 

I'd be a little upset if Nelson, Thornburg and Smith all end up in the bullpen. That would mean more money spent on aging free agents to fill the rotation going forward when I have hopes of a mostly home-grown rotation. Relievers are cheaper to buy in free agency than starters, so we should give our promising young starters the opportunity to win a rotation spot. If Nelson and Thornburg both end up as relievers then I don't have high hopes for our future because they are the best or our young pitching.

 

If DM doesn't trade a starter for a corner infielder, I could see all of them in the pen next year. No one said that if a pitcher is out of the pen one year, that they can never be a starter again. The logjam of #4 starters (and Fiers ) will definitely be gone in 2016 (Gallardo, Lohse). And if Gallardo isn't picked up at a net cost of $12.4M or traded, that opens up one spot for competition from those pitchers listed next year.

[monty57]

No one said that if a pitcher is out of the pen one year, that they can never be a starter again.

 

I was responding to 3and2's comment that Nelson could be a closer candidate. I think Thornburg is a reliever, and if Nelson were also put into the pen as a "future closer," then that would be a bad sign. Nelson and Thornburg were both more highly regarded than pretty much any other starting pitcher in our system, so if they can't make the rotation what hope do we have from the farm?

 

That said, I agree that Nelson is probably going to be a starter so the point is probably moot. But, as you mentioned, if they "go for it," and don't trade away one of Gallardo/Lohse/Garza, there is a good chance Nelson gets stuck in the pen, where at the very least he's wasting a year of service time in a less valuable role. Throw in that Roenicke couldn't resist throwing him out there every day potentially ruining his arm, and I'd rather we just trade away an older, more expensive guy and let Nelson start.

[Bombers]

@Brewers: RHP Kevin Shackelford and RHP Barrett Astin have been sent to Cincinnati to complete the 8/31 trade for RHP Jonathan Broxton.

[Bombers]

I mean those guys are not even in our top 25 ... Heck, they didn't even get honorable mention

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=31859

[MNBrew]

Regardless of Broxton's salary & contract term, giving up those two guys for him is steps up from the rubbish given to the Mets for K-Rod in 2011, but it's nowhere close to being harmful to the prospect quotient in our farm system. Time will ultimately tell on Shackleford & Astin, but if Broxton keeps pitching even remotely close to what he's done this year, I can't help but see the net of this as a major "plus" deal for the Brewers.

[Outlander]

Shackelford has potential but struggled quite a bit in Huntsville and Astin is the type of throw in I wish was in the Parra deal. Pretty much a salary dump, hopefully the Brewers can get a better haul next year if they struggle and Broxton is their closer.

[Roderick]

Shackelford has potential but struggled quite a bit in Huntsville and Astin is the type of throw in I wish was in the Parra deal. Pretty much a salary dump, hopefully the Brewers can get a better haul next year if they struggle and Broxton is their closer.

 

I assume Cincy would have gotten substantially more for Broxton if they were out of the race sooner and dealt him earlier.

[JohnBriggs12]

Shackelford has potential but struggled quite a bit in Huntsville and Astin is the type of throw in I wish was in the Parra deal. Pretty much a salary dump, hopefully the Brewers can get a better haul next year if they struggle and Broxton is their closer.

 

I would think the Reds see more potential in Astin, a 2013 3rd rounder who turns 23 in October. He was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA and a 0.962 WHIP as a reliever for T-Rats.

[Outlander]

The Reds must see more in Shackelford than the Brewers or I see in him though as the GM mentioned that they were getting a player that was near major league ready so I am assuming he was talking about Shackelford.

[HiAndTight]

The Reds must see more in Shackelford than the Brewers or I see in him though as the GM mentioned that they were getting a player that was near major league ready so I am assuming he was talking about Shackelford.

 

 

Well he was on the 40 man roster earlier this year, so the Brewers obviously thought he was close to being major league ready.

 

Sometimes just changing teams and getting a new voice and different advice can help. Look at Jeffress. The Blue Jays certainly helped him in his throwing motion and yet he chose to leave and come full circle and return to the Brewers.

 

 

As for Thornburg, Monty keeps saying the Brewers view Thornburg as a reliever, but what is that based on? I don't see any evidence the Brewers view him as their future closer or a reliever, rather it was the only spot he could contribute this year coming out of spring training. Roenicke has said that he believes Thornburg and Smith will get a shot to start "at some point in the future." That was back in April, so I can't find the quote off hand, but until hear otherwise, I'm going to assume that's the case.

[DHonks]

Thorny...is anyone optimistic about him next year? We've seen this scenario before where a player misses time with a mysterious injury, then reports to spring training and on day 5 of camp is off to see a specialist, causing him to require surgery and miss the following season as well

[SRB]

Broxton is worth $0M, he could very well be below replacement level the rest of this season and next season.

 

Thanks, JoBro!

[brewmann04]

Broxton should make it fun next season