Baltimore Orioles: O’s take a flyer on Keon Broxton in trade with Mets

Former Brewers and Mets outfielder Keon Broxton is now a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles made a minor trade Wednesday as they acquired outfielder Keon Broxton from the New York Mets in exchange for International Signing Bonus Slot money.

With a roster badly in need of depth, Broxton will likely earn the chance to patrol center field on an everyday basis with the Baltimore Orioles.

In 34 games with the Mets in 2019, Broxton struggled mightily offensively. He will bring just a .143 batting average with no home runs and only two RBI’s with him from New York to Baltimore. However, these numbers don’t tell the full story.

Two short seasons ago in 2017 Broxton slugged 20 home runs as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, the outfielder drove in 49 runs, stole 21 bases and drew 40 walks.

An intriguing aspect of this trade is that it could end Stevie Wilkerson‘s run in center field. Joe Trezza of MLB.com pointed out that though he’s been an impact bat, adding Broxton will likely result in moving him back to his natural infield positions of second and third base.

Though Broxton’s offense has been inconsistent at times, there’s one part of Broxton’s game that’s a given. He plays gold glove caliber defense and has established himself as one of baseball’s best defensive outfielders making several highlight reel players throughout his carer.

For the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles, this move is one of low-risk high reward. If Broxton hits the way he did in 2017, he will help an Orioles team struggling to push across runs score more while also helping improve what’s been a shaky defensive outfield.