A week after sounding off publicly over minimal playing time in his first season in New York, the struggling Mets dealt outfielder Keon Broxton to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for $500,000 in international bonus money.
Broxton, who turned 29 earlier this month, had vented to reporters over his limited at-bats this season after striking out with the bases loaded to end a 7-6 loss against Washington last week.
“I’m not here to make excuses or anything,” Broxton said last Thursday. “I think everybody in this game knows it’s really hard to do, come off the bench and do it. Getting one [start] a week, if that. It’s definitely tough.”
Broxton had been acquired by the Mets in a January trade with Milwaukee for right-handed pitchers Bobby Wahl and Adam Hill and infielder Felix Valerio. The fifth-year veteran is just 7-of-49 (.143) in 53 plate appearances this season without a home run and two RBIs.
Broxton had just 89 trips to the plate in 2018 with the Brewers one season after his career year in 2017, when he slugged 20 homers while adding 21 stolen bases. However, his .220 batting average and 175 strikeouts seemingly played a role in the Brewers reducing his role
He is a career .216 hitter and has 33 home runs, 81 RBI and 54 stolen bases in 310 major-league games with Pittsburgh (2015), Milwaukee (2016-18) and the Mets.
In addition to shipping out Broxton, the Orioles claimed right-hander Chandler Shepherd off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, the team also announced. Baltimore adjusted its 40-man roster by transferring starting pitcher Alex Cobb to the 60-day injured list. Baltimore also designated RHP Yefry Ramirez for assignment.