Milwaukee Brewers: Keon Broxton traded to Mets

Just because it’s the weekend doesn’t mean the Milwaukee Brewers are closed for business. The Brewers have sent outfielder Keon Broxton to the New York Mets for a trio of Minor Leaguers.

After being the subject of trade speculation for the past year and a half, the Milwaukee Brewers have finally dealt outfielder Keon Broxton.

Broxton posted a 20/20 season in 2017, but found him on the outside looking in at the 25-man roster after the Brewers acquired Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain during the last off season.

How was Broxton’s 2018 season?

Broxton spent most of 2018 in Triple-A with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. In 82 games in Triple-A, Broxton slashed .254/.323/.421 with 10 homers and 27 steals.

He did make his way back to the Major League roster, and appeared in 51 games for the Brewers. He slashed .179/.281/.410, and struck out at a 31.5% rate.

Why deal Broxton?

Well, he’s out of options, so if he didn’t make the Major League roster, the Milwaukee Brewers would have to expose him to waivers. A toolsy 28-year old outfielder would fit on a lot of Major League rosters.

This deal also frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. That will be handy in case the Milwaukee Brewers are able to add the starting pitcher, second baseman, or catcher that they’ve been chasing all off season.

Who did the Brewers get in return for Broxton?

Bobby Wahl is a right-handed reliever with 14 games in the Majors on his resume. He’ll turn 27-years old before Opening Day.

Wahl owns a fastball that sits in the 94-to-96 MPH range, and a solid slider. In 14 games in the Majors, he owns a 6.92 ERA with 15 strikeouts, eight walks, and two homers allowed. He’s a power righty who needs some work on command. At age 27, a change of scenery and a few new voices might help.

Adam Hill was a fourth round pick by the New York Mets in the 2018 amateur draft out of the University of South Carolina. He was also drafted in 2015 in the 39th round, but chose to go to college instead of signing.

He spent his first professional season in Low-A, and posted a 2.35 ERA in nine relief appearances. He struck out 26, walked seven, and was tagged for one homer.

Hill has a fastball/slider/change-up combo that needs to develop, but could allow him to start. Hill stands 6’6″, and will turn 22-years old before Opening Day. He could end up as the best player to come to the Milwaukee Brewers in this deal.

Felix Valerio is a name on a Dominican League roster, and is listed at second base. He’s only 18 years old, and spent the 2018 season with the New York Mets Dominican Summer League team. He slashed .319/.409/.433 in 67 games between the DSL2 and DSL1 teams in the Mets organization. He also stole 16 bases and bashed three homers. 2019 is likely to be his first professional season in the US.

The Milwaukee Brewers turned a toolsy, frustrating outfielder who’s out of options into a reliever for their Triple-A team, and a pair of lottery tickets. It would have a lot more exciting to see Broxton added to a package for J.T. Realmuto or Sonny Gray, but they did well to get a few players who could turn into real prospects. Given their track record with scouting and targeting other teams’ prospects, this deal could look really good for the Brewers in three years.