Is Braun untradeable?

[QuevedosTongue]

Just curious what the opinions are here. I don't think he's untradeable at all. Why?

 

1. Still a solid producer, if not at the level he was 4 years ago.

2. The contract is not that big anymore, I believe it has fallen out of the top 50 in average annual payout.

3. In my opinion he's not tainted to the extent others believe. His PED violations are ancient history at this point.

 

I would love it if Braun got off to a hot start and the Brewers ponied up some money to deal him as long as they get somebody with upside in return. If they dump him just to dump the contract, without getting reasonable prospect(s) in return, I'll be disappointed. Of course, he needs to produce similar to last season (or better) to hope for that.

[sveumrules]

I don't think Braun has much surplus value at this point, he's really only had one good season in the last three and is still owed 5/95. If he has another year like last year (140ish games, 130ish wRC+) I think he would have some positive value because then he's had two good seasons in a row & is then down to 4/76 owed.

 

On the other hand, he has a limited no trade now & I believe will get his 5/10 rights after this season. With payroll projecting to be low the next few years, no clear 1B prospect in the system & maybe even the DH coming to the NL at some point I'd be fine if the Brewers keep him around, especially if he's still relatively healthy/productive.

[reillymcshane]

Just curious what the opinions are here. I don't think he's untradeable at all. Why?

 

1. Still a solid producer, if not at the level he was 4 years ago.

2. The contract is not that big anymore, I believe it has fallen out of the top 50 in average annual payout.

3. In my opinion he's not tainted to the extent others believe. His PED violations are ancient history at this point.

 

I would love it if Braun got off to a hot start and the Brewers ponied up some money to deal him as long as they get somebody with upside in return. If they dump him just to dump the contract, without getting reasonable prospect(s) in return, I'll be disappointed. Of course, he needs to produce similar to last season (or better) to hope for that.

Braun's coming off back surgery, plus only one year removed from all the hand issues. No one is likely giving up much until he shows he's healthy again. You're still talking $95M over 5 years ($18M deferred). Adding a $15M salary at this stage isn't in a lot of teams' budgets.

 

I don't think anything happens until he's shown himself to be healthy and productive for a few months.

[Ennder]

He can easily be traded mid season if he is healthy and productive. Mid season there are always teams more worried about winning now than what it means the rest of the contract.

[umphrey]

A year ago I think he was untradable. Now I think we could salary dump and maybe get back a couple interesting prospects outside the top 100.

[MNBrew]

To the question in the thread's title, I hope so at least if that perception's out there to the extent that it aids him staying in Milwaukee because I don't want to see him traded at all.

 

I'm fine with the rebuild. But I think Braun is a pretty nearly generational talent, still basically in his prime, that you don't give up in a rebuild.

[502 to Right]

If he shows he's healthy after back surgery he's very tradeable. But he needs to prove it on the field first. His contract is no longer a road block if he's healthy.

[RockCoCougars]

Not sure, but if I'm the Brewers, I'm not eating one cent of his salary. Not with the sort of money that stiffs like Heyward and Upton have gotten on the open market. Braun at his worst probably puts up offensive numbers similar to what those guys will. I'd rather keep him if it comes to that. The Brewers are going to likely need a first baseman down the road anyway, that makes too much sense not to happen at some point.

[3and2Fastball]

If he shows he's healthy after back surgery he's very tradeable. But he needs to show prove it on the field first. His contract is no longer a road block if he's healthy.

 

100% correct in my opinion. He is still a Top 10 RF or Top 10 LF in the game even if he never regains his MVP contention status. He also has a history of great success in the postseason. He profiles as a difference maker DH or LF on a contending team. He has trade value

[Warning Track Power]

To the question in the thread's title, I hope so at least if that perception's out there to the extent that it aids him staying in Milwaukee because I don't want to see him traded at all.

This pretty much sums up my feelings in the subject. I think the casual fan needs something to cheer for and Braun, while the PED thing will still affect some opinions of him, the reality is he has been nothing short of amazing with the amount of contrition shown. Additionally, his comments regarding the rebuild shows me he won't mind guiding the new prospects in the majors and showing them the ropes of being a ballplayer in the Majors. This cannot be overlooked as I believe leadership over a 162 game regular season is monumental.

 

Keep Braun.

[pacopete4]

No.

[trwi7]

As long as he comes back from the back surgery okay and the thumb is still okay, yes. Cespedes got 3/75. Upton got 6/133. Heyward got 8/184. Gordon got 4/72. Not the same position but Chris Davis got 7/161.

 

I think he'd have quite a bit of value at 5/95 as well (I'd have the Brewers cover the deferred payments to maximize the return).

 

The only problem is his no trade clause allows him to block deals to every team except the Angels (have nothing in the farm system), Dodgers (don't have a need), Nationals (might have a need when Werth is gone), Rays (probably can't take his contract) and Marlins (don't have a need).

 

So there's not really a fit, unless he wants out and is willing to waive his no trade clause for basically any team.

[MrTPlush]

Ryan Braun is untradeable in the sense that no team wants to give up a lot at his price tag and the Brewers won't trade him just to dump his salary.

 

I just don't think they are motivated if it won't bring them back prospects. If they were to trade him and Lucroy in the next 6 months fans are going to drop like flies. There literally won't be a single notable name on the team. If there isn't a clear reason(outside of saving some money) to trade Braun I just don't think it is worth it. I think they would prefer to pay him the money just to have his name value to fans.

[jerichoholicninja]

His health is all that matters. His numbers are above average at worst but overall really, really good. No one cares about the steroids fiasco and his contract isn't as terrible as some make it out to be. If he can prove he's healthy and keep putting up the numbers he has been teams will want him.

[502 to Right]

His his no trade clause allows him to block deals to every team except the Angels (have nothing in the farm system), Dodgers (don't have a need), Nationals (might have a need when Werth is gone), Rays (probably can't take his contract) and Marlins (don't have a need).

 

So there's not really a fit, unless he wants out and is willing to waive his no trade clause for basically any team.

 

I just don't see him blocking a trade to a contending team (and presumably only a contending team would want to trade for him) when the alternative is to stay in Milwaukee for several seasons of rebuilding.

[splitterpfj]

Right now, I'd say Braun is untradeable for any return you'd even want to post here.

 

That's because he hasn't played since the back surgery yet .... why would anyone give anything of value for a player with some health concerns, and a longterm contract?

 

If Braun plays well, he may have a market at the trade deadline, and if he gets through the season ok, he will have a market next winter. His contract isn't all that bad in the current market, and if the Brewers have paid one more season of it by having him here for 2016, I would think he's very moveable next winter.

[JohnBriggs12]

Nobody is going to trade for a guy coming off of back surgery, especially one owed $105 million over the next 5 seasons. It's unfortunate as it would have made a lot more sense to deal Braun than Davis for the salary relief alone. Braun will be here at least another year or two unless a couple of those OF really show something in 2016.

[MKE81]

His health is all that matters. His numbers are above average at worst but overall really, really good. No one cares about the steroids fiasco and his contract isn't as terrible as some make it out to be. If he can prove he's healthy and keep putting up the numbers he has been teams will want him.

 

Absolutely agree. Personally, I'd keep him for remainder of contract as his salary is already better than what others are getting and it'll look more and more better year after year (at least for the next few years). He's still the most productive position player and will be again this year and most likely the next several given how young the top prospects are. I'd only trade him if the value was there in return. Treating him as a "salary dump" is a terrible idea. He's not Aaron Hill and never will be

[CheezWizHed]

Remember with AROD was untradeable after his signed his contract in Texas? As long as you are productive, you are trade-able.

[jerichoholicninja]

Remember with AROD was untradeable after his signed his contract in Texas? As long as you are productive, you are trade-able.

 

And the Rangers got Alfonso Soriano out of it. It wasn't just a salary dump.

[Oldcity]

Not sure, but if I'm the Brewers, I'm not eating one cent of his salary. Not with the sort of money that stiffs like Heyward and Upton have gotten on the open market.

 

If it increases the return, of course the Brewers should do this. It's clear that they'd have more suitors if they ate 5-6 mil per year, and they'd get back better players. Their payroll is low enough where they have the capability of doing this. It's like what they did with Aaron Hill/Isan Diaz, but on a larger scale.

[FVBrewerFan]

Exactly. Eating part of Braun's salary would be very easy for them to do this year or next. But, as others have said, I don't think the contract is the problem. PEDs aren't an issue either. It's all about his various injuries. If he can stay healthy and pound the ball this year, a deal can be made at the trade deadline.

 

I'm not worried as much about taking on part of his salary, I'm more concerned with the return they should get. If Braun is healthy and even comes close to being that MVP level player, they need a similar return to what they got for Gomez/Fiers. And frankly, one prospect needs to be a top 10-15.

[Boomer5]

If he proves healthy, Id look for a Tulo model trade. Take back half the salary in bad contract and pick up some higher end prospects.

[FVBrewerFan]

If he proves healthy, Id look for a Tulo model trade. Take back half the salary in bad contract and pick up some higher end prospects.

 

Except I don't think it's a "bad" contract. Certainly not a bargain, but if he's even a little better than last year, the contract is fine. No way the Brewers should have to eat half his contract, in my opinion.

[MrTPlush]

If he proves healthy, Id look for a Tulo model trade. Take back half the salary in bad contract and pick up some higher end prospects.

 

Except I don't think it's a "bad" contract. Certainly not a bargain, but if he's even a little better than last year, the contract is fine. No way the Brewers should have to eat half his contract, in my opinion.

 

Except the contract is actually bad as it stands. Since there is a long list of constant chronic injuries no one wants to pay him that contract and give up prospects.

 

Production/Talent wise no the contract isn't bad at all, but considering the injuries the contract is borderline bad. That isn't to say that can't change. in 6-12 months MAYBE he can be healthy enough and see the field enough to make a team bite.