Royals Sign Jonathan Broxton

Published: 29^th Nov 11 11:12 am

Bryan Lutz
MLB Featured Columnist; Follow me @Lutzifer35

RANT It!

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

I now expect AL Central teams to go after Matt Stairs.

Broxton has signed a 1-year 4 million dollar deal with the Kansas City Royals today. He can earn an extra million based on games pitched. Royals plan on using Broxton as their primary set-up man to Joakim Soria.

Broxton only appeared in 14 games last season. His season was cut short due to arm issues. Broxton had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September. His surgery should not cost Broxton any games in 2012.

Despite famous gaffes, Broxton was one of the best relievers in baseball prior to the 2011 campaign. If you put aside Matt Stairs homers and Sunday Night blown saves versus the Yankees, they’re not much better relievers than Broxton. He had at least a 1 fWAR season from 2006-2010. For a reliever to consistently put up a 1 WAR is extremely rare. His career 11.55 K/9 is something that also distance Broxton from ordinary relievers. The reason for his consistency was his high strikeout rate, because that is something he can control. Broxton’s main problem is his control. In his 12 2/3 innings last year, he had nine walks. He has a career 3.74 BB/9 rate. 3.74 isn’t horrible, but it isn’t the best. His strikeouts is what let’s him work out of his control issues.

According to Jerry Cransick, many teams were interested in Broxton’s services. As much as ten contacted Broxton’s agency.

We now await which AL Central team gets Matt Stairs.