Report: Brewers' Santana, Broxton available, having 'problems' finding deal
The Milwaukee Brewers have put the bait in the water. Now they're just waiting for someone to bite.
The Brewers are reportedly making Domingo Santana and Keon Broxton available in trade talks for additional starting pitching, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. However, Cafardo reports the Brewers are having "problems" finding a match for either player.
After signing free agent Lorenzo Cain and trading for Christian Yelich over the winter, Milwaukee is now faced with a problem of having too many outfielders on its roster. Manager Craig Counsell is having to get creative to find playing time for all his outfielders, and Ryan Braun is likely to see some time at first base this season as a result.
While the Brewers improved their outfield over the winter, they're still short of starting pitching at the top of their rotation as they attempt to battle the Chicago Cubs for NL Central supremacy. Santana has heard his name in rumors throughout the offseason; in January, it was reported he was being dangled alongside top prospect Brett Phillips in the hopes of landing a top-tier starter.
Broxton was Milwaukee's starting center fielder last year, and though he recorded a 20-20 season (20 homers, 21 stolen bases), he only managed to produce a slash line of .220/.299/.420 (85 OPS+) in 143 games. He also struck out 175 times, the fourth-highest total in the National League.
Santana is also coming off his first full big-league season; unlike Broxton, however, his 2017 campaign was a breakout performance. Over 151 games last year, the 25-year-old slashed .278/.371/.505 (126 OPS+) with 30 homers and 85 RBIs, while adding 15 stolen bases and 29 doubles.
Both Broxton and Santana have several years of team control remaining as well as minor-league options, and they will only enter arbitration next year.
Milwaukee reportedly made pushes to sign both Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta this winter and was also said to have had contact with the Tampa Bay Rays about Chris Archer last month.