Oxford returns to Milwaukee in trade with Toronto

Milwaukee – Loyal John Oxford’s attempt to get back on the Major League hill drifted from Toronto to Milwaukee, as the seasoned right-back started his major league career and lived out his most successful days.

Brewers’ head of athletic operations, David Stearns, announced Monday that the team has acquired the 38-year-old bowler from Blue Jays in exchange for cash compensation.

Axford hasn’t played in the majors since 2018 and started this season as an analyst for the Blue Jays. After participating with Canada in a qualifying match for the Olympics, Axford signed a secondary contract with the Blue Jays on June 24.

It was 1-0 with 0.84 ERA in nine relief jobs with Blue Jays affiliate Triple-A in Buffalo. Oxford hit 14 hitters and allowed three walks and two hits over 10 and 2/3 runs. The rival teams were only shooting 0.061 in front of him.

Although the deadline for major league deals expired on Friday, this transfer was approved given that Axford is a minor league player and not part of any 40-player roster on any major league team.

Axford was with the Brewers from 2009 to 2013 and set a team record with 46 saves in 2011. During that season, Axford scored a franchise record of 43 saves without a shot.

The bowler finished 106 saves in his five-year spell with Milwaukee and trails only Dan Plesak (133) on the Brewers’ list of most saves of all time.

He has a career record of 38-34, 3.86 ERA and 144 saved in 543 games with Milwaukee, St. Louis (2013), Cleveland (2014), Pittsburgh (2014), Colorado (2015), Oakland (2016-17). ), Toronto (2018) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2018).