Mets Were Interested in Jonathan Broxton

That we are only now learning that the Mets were interested in closer Jonathan Broxton, who signed Tuesday with the Royals, shows how Sandy Alderson plans on doing business this winter — quietly and under the radar.

ESPN.com‘s Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Mets were among three other teams who were the “most ardent pursuers” of Broxton. Andy McCullough of the Newark Star Ledger went on Twitter to say that he heard that “some within the Mets organization” felt the $4 million Broxton got from Kansas City “was too pricey.”

I was intrigued by Broxton. Yes, he only appeared in 12 games in 2011 and had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in September, but when he was healthy Broxton was one of the best young closers in the game. He saved 36 games in 2009, striking out a stunning 114 batters in just 76 innings. He did regress some in 2010 before his injury, but he is only 27 years old. There could be a lot of upside there.

So where do the Mets go from here? MLB.com‘s Anthony DiComo reports the Mets are “strong players” for Octavio Dotel. Remember him? I wouldn’t mind if he were in the bullpen in 2012, but not as the closer. I think the Mets can do better than a 38-year-old journeyman who has pitched for five teams in the last two seasons finishing up their games.

But who really knows? Alderson is not giving any clues, which while frustrating to fans, is probably the correct way to run a ball club.