Royals DFA Potential Asset Brad Boxberger
By Brendan Azoff
The Kansas City Royals designated eight-year veteran Brad Boxberger for assignment on Wednesday, as the right-hander continued to struggle in 2019. It is an odd time for the release, however, as Boxberger could have been utilized as a potential trade chip at the deadline, especially given that teams would take a flier on the veteran in hopes of a spark being ignited by joining a new team.
Royals Designate Brad Boxberger, Reinstate Eric Skoglund https://t.co/zPZR4RVldL pic.twitter.com/UvcUK8cE0A
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 26, 2019
Boxberger has posted a 1-3 record with a 5.40 ERA in 29 games this season, while also recording a save. He has just 27 strikeouts in 26.1 innings this season, a rate that is significantly lower than the 71 batters he put down in 53 innings last year.
In corresponding moves, LHP Tim Hill has been recalled from AAA and RHP Brad Boxberger has been designated for assignment.
— #VoteDozier (@Royals) June 26, 2019
The Royals have recalled sidearming lefty Tim Hill from Triple-A to replace Boxberger on the roster. Hill has appeared in six MLB games in 2019 and has a 6.75 ERA to go along with 3 strikeouts in just four innings of work.
The Royals spent $5.2 million on Boxberger and Owings. Neither made it to July.
— Matt LaMar (@LaMar_Matt) June 26, 2019
That’s the tweet. I’d make a pithy comment here but...how about just a ‘yikes’
The struggling Royals are looking to revamp their pitching landscape and get some more significant help from a bullpen that continually disappoints. Their latest move, while surprising, is an understandable decision.