by Jason Martinez
Former All-Stars Jonathan Broxton and Grady Sizemore have agreed to one-year deals with low base salaries as they try to rebuild their value before hitting free agency again next year. While both players reportedly had several suitors, it pales in comparison to the amount of interest they will receive after healthy and productive seasons in 2012.
Jonathan Broxton
Broxton's deal with the Kansas City Royals will pay him $4 million with another $1 million in incentives. As of now, he is penciled in as the setup man for closer Joakim Soria. The Royals still need to upgrade their rotation so there is a chance they shop Soria for a starter. Bullpen depth does not appear to be a problem for the Royals as Greg Holland, Tim Collins, Louis Coleman, and Kelvin Herrera give the team solid late-inning options behind Broxton and Soria. If they are going to move Soria, however, it might be a good idea to wait and see if Broxton's elbow is sound. The 27 year-old was shut down in early May with elbow pain and eventually underwent surgery to shave down a bone spur and remove loose bodies.
With many of this offseason's top free agent closers likely to receive three and four-year contracts for a minimum of $10 million annually, it will be interesting to see where Broxton stands at this time next year. He'll be just 28 years old and has a strong track record as a dominant reliever for the Dodgers. Despite a rough 2010 and his lost season in 2011, Broxton could be the most sought-after reliever next year if he can bounce back in 2012. Brandon League and Huston Street appear to be the best options for now.
In his only full season as a closer, the right-hander posted a 2.61 ERA with 44 hits and 29 walks allowed in 76 innings. He struck out 114 batters while averaging 97.8 MPH on his fastball. In 2010, his average velocity dropped to 95.3. It decreased further in 2011 to 94.1 MPH. If that velocity drop was injury-related, a healthy Broxton has a good shot at returning to his dominant ways. It won't take a 30-save season for Broxton to get paid next year. He's already proven as a closer. Health is the biggest question. If he can make 60 appearances and post an ERA of 3.50 or less, look for some team to make him a very rich closer next offseason.
Grady Sizemore
 |
| Sizemore played in just 104 games in 2010-11 Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc. |
Now for a reality check. Sizemore is three years removed from that type of production. He did show some power in 2011 (10 HR, 21 2B in 268 AB's) but his plate discipline was no longer existent (18 BB, 85 K) and he only attempted to steal two bases (he was caught both times). Teams looking to sign him this offseason wanted to play him an outfield corner spot.
With that said, it's not impossible for Sizemore to regain his old form. A much-older Carlos Beltran just finished a monster season that began approximately 14 months after a similar microfracture knee surgery that Sizemore underwent in June 2010. Beltran's days as a Gold Glove center fielder who can steal 25-40 bases per season are behind him, however, and he's nothing more than an average defender in right field these days. But he's very likely to land a multi-year deal for big money because of his offensive production in 2011. If he can bounce back at 34 years old, then you can't count out Sizemore at age 29.
Tweet
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment