Apparently not satisfied exclusively with the addition of Steve Cishek as a deadline addition to the Cardinals’ bullpen, on Friday Cardinal General Manager John Mozeliak made a deal with Central Division foes the Milwaukee Brewers for right-handed reliever Jonathan Broxton.
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Broxton, 31, has a 5.89 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 10 walks in 36 2/3 innings this year.
In return, the Cardinals will send outfield prospect Malik Collymore to the brewers.
The Cardinals should look for Broxton to fill a similar role, though he’ll have competition for the eighth-inning spot.
The St. Louis Cardinals certainly buy into the old baseball adage that you can never have too much pitching.
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This reported deal will give St. Louis yet another power arm to throw in front of closer Trevor Rosenthal at the back end of the bullpen. Maness, Cishek and Broxton have all had their fair share of issues this season-none have an ERA lower than Maness’ 3.79-but there is power in numbers. ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick was the first to report that Broxton was on his way to St. Louis. Opponents are hitting. 346 on balls in play, more than 100 points better than their average last season. Broxton’s contract includes a nine million dollar option or a two million dollar buyout for 2016.
