The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to trade setup man Jonathan Broxton to the Milwaukee Brewers for two players to be named later, according to CBS Sports' Matt Snyder. That's where the Reds have appeared to shift their focus as well ... later.
Jonathan Broxton traded to Brewers from Reds
Cincinnati’s set up man will likely move into a similar role for the NL Central-leading Brewers.
Jamie Sabau
The Brewers have benefited from Francisco Rodriguez's vintage K-Rod performance, and they've had good results from the left-handers in their bullpen, but they were in need of a shut-down righty at the back end of their bullpen. They seem to have found it in Broxton. After beginning the year as the Reds' closer with Aroldis Chapman recovering from a gruesome head injury, Broxton has continued to lock down hitters in the late innings.
In 48⅓ innings, the 30-year-old has a 1.86 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. He picked up seven saves early in the year, but after Chapman returned in good health, Broxton’s future with the team became murkier. He will earn $7 million this season and $9 million in 2015.
Then it gets a little complicated. Had he stayed with the Reds, Cincinnati would have held a team option for $9 million in 2016, but since he was traded, it becomes a mutual option between Broxton and the Brewers. Mutual options aren’t often exercised by both parties, so this stipulation will give Broxton a chance to reach the open market a year sooner. Rodriguez will become a free agent after this season, so Milwaukee might decide to use Broxton as their closer next year and let K-Rod test free agency.
The Reds might know what they're getting back for one-plus years of Broxton, but no one else does at this point. That seems to be fitting since Cincy's 2014 season is all but over. They can still make several moves to build for the future. Starting pitchers Mat Latos and Mike Leake have been placed on revocable waivers, and although they might not be able to make a move before the offseason, they are expected to trade a pitcher before the beginning of the 2015 season.
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