Prospect Insider - Royals add Broxton and flexibility

Royals add Broxton and flexibility

By Adam H. Wong

By 11-29-2011

The Kansas City Royals decided to follow in the risk-taking Texas Rangers footsteps by signing right-handed flamethrower Johnathan Broxton to a one-year, $4 million guaranteed contract, pending a physical exam to be conducted on Wednesday. Broxton injured his elbow in early May this year and had surgery this September. The Broxton deal was preceded by two other deals that made quiet ripples in the free agent ocean: the two-year, $9 million contract given to left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen, and then the trade of outfielder Melky Cabrera for left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez from the San Francisco Giants.

Texas signed Joe Nathan to take over the closer's role because they want Neftali Feliz in their starting rotation. Texas already has the lineup, the rotation and the bullpen to contend in 2012. Kansas City signed Broxton because they are banking on the potential of their youth.

Jerry Crasnick reports that Broxton will set up closer Joakim Soria next season. The biggest thing that Broxton has to offer to the Royals is flexibility. There have been talks that the front office might trade Soria, or even move him into the rotation. Either way, Broxton joins the already youthful bullpen, and at 27, he would be the oldest member coming out of the 'pen.

Broxton's K/9 rate was 7.1 in his 14 appearances this year, dropping from 10.5 in 2010 and 13.5 the year previous. Although signing a pitcher after an injury year is a risk, it's still a low-risk move. Broxton was a dominant closer when he was healthy, and if he repeats his All-Star 2010 and 2009 years, the back-end of the Royals bullpen might be one of the best in the American League. A $4 million contract won't break the bank, and while the Royals had the lowest 2010 payroll, the two recent signings show that Kansas City is willing to spend to compete.

In this offseason so far, the Royals have only bolstered their pitching staff. Their lineup still needs work, but they project to do well again in 2012. Their 102 team wRC+ was good for ninth best in the majors. Eric Hosmer, who placed third in Rookie of the Year voting, will only be 22 going into the next season. Alex Gordon finally had the season the City of Fountains hoped he could when they drafted him. Billy Butler, 26, is projected to play better in 2012.

The Seattle Mariners, conversely, are in a similar position. Most of the hope that the Emerald City has for future success rests on the potential of the the youth. Dustin Ackley proved that he can handle big league pitching. The Mariners are banking on Mike Carp continuing his new found success. Michael Pineda set the bar high for his sophomore year.

The biggest difference between the two clubs, however, is payroll. Seattle might have room to play with, and this opens up all sorts of possibilities for the forthcoming winter meetings.

Adam H. Wong can be reached via email at wong@prospectinsider.com. Follow him on Twitter here.

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