What could Braun bring from the Dodgers?

[JosephC]

Don't see that as being an issue as Brandon McCarthy was one of the 3 players that was reported to be agreed on in the Braun/Dodger trade that wasn't completed in August. McCarthy will turn 34 during the 2017 season and was a -0.3 WAR player in 2015 and a -0.2 WAR player in 2016 (Baseball Reference). He is the definition of a negative value player. He is due 20 million dollars over the next two seasons which would be 25% of Braun's contract right there.

[splitterpfj]

JosephC, that's exactly right - the luxury tax is the issue for LA, not any discussion of what Braun would get as a free agent, that's irrelevant in this case.

 

The factors are .... LA needs a hitter who mashes lefty pitching - lefties just destroyed them last year. The positions they have open to fit that hitter into right now, are left field, and second base - it doesn't take long to figure out, left field is a much more likely solution than second base to fill that need.

 

A free agent just isn't likely now, given their payroll tax situation, they're in a unique position of trying to win the 2017 World Series, having a very obvious need, and not wanting to add more money to the pile.

 

This statement is not about Braun's worth, it is about the Dodgers' ability to add his contract to their existing commitments - the Brewers have to make Braun cheap enough for LA, while LA has to make the prospect return big enough for Milwaukee.

 

This was always the case, only now, the Dodgers have a clear picture of what their costs are, because Jansen just agreed to a five-year deal, and Justin Turner is very close to a 4-year deal.

 

Will the Brewers take on enough bad money to make it work? Will the Dodgers target a less expensive player somewhere else, even if he's less than Braun, specifically because of their luxury tax situation? Will LA ask the Brewers for more players than Braun, to help fill out their bullpen, or perhaps to help them at second base for one season?

 

There are a lot of maybes here, and it won't take long for us to know if this can happen or not.

[pacopete4]

If I got a choice between McCarthy and Kazmir I would take on Kazmir just because he is a lefty and there is always a chance someone would bite on him if he showed success.

[NievesNoNO]

JosephC, that's exactly right - the luxury tax is the issue for LA, not any discussion of what Braun would get as a free agent, that's irrelevant in this case.

 

The factors are .... LA needs a hitter who mashes lefty pitching - lefties just destroyed them last year. The positions they have open to fit that hitter into right now, are left field, and second base - it doesn't take long to figure out, left field is a much more likely solution than second base to fill that need.

 

A free agent just isn't likely now, given their payroll tax situation, they're in a unique position of trying to win the 2017 World Series, having a very obvious need, and not wanting to add more money to the pile.

 

This statement is not about Braun's worth, it is about the Dodgers' ability to add his contract to their existing commitments - the Brewers have to make Braun cheap enough for LA, while LA has to make the prospect return big enough for Milwaukee.

 

This was always the case, only now, the Dodgers have a clear picture of what their costs are, because Jansen just agreed to a five-year deal, and Justin Turner is very close to a 4-year deal.

 

Will the Brewers take on enough bad money to make it work? Will the Dodgers target a less expensive player somewhere else, even if he's less than Braun, specifically because of their luxury tax situation? Will LA ask the Brewers for more players than Braun, to help fill out their bullpen, or perhaps to help them at second base for one season?

 

There are a lot of maybes here, and it won't take long for us to know if this can happen or not.

 

I think you summed it up very well. For a team that has a supposed debt problem though, they sure don't show it very well by adding Hill and resigning Jansen and Turner.

[MillerParkSouth]

I really struggle to see how Braun fits there, even if we take back a lot of dead contracts. At least now that they have their other pieces locked up, we should know pretty soon whether or not there is a fit.

[splitterpfj]

The payroll tax situation is bad for LA for the next two seasons - at least at the moment - the Brewers could take back enough dead money to make Braun "free" for the next two years. That is, if Milwaukee takes back enough to equal Braun's money for 2017 and 2018, LA gets exactly the type of player they need - a player who could put them over the top - without adding any additional payroll until 2019, which would be after Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford come off the books.

 

I think it absolutely can be done, but it's up to LA to decide Braun's the way they want to go.

 

Signing a free agent just adds to their 2017 bills, so I don't expect that - we'll have to see if they prefer a different trade target, I just can't see LA leaving their lineup where it is right now; this team was last in the majors in OBP and SLG against lefties last year.

 

Edit: Ryan Braun absolutely fits the Dodgers - they need a player who can absolutely mash lefties, and the spot they have to fit that player into, is corner outfield. If you're going to find a righty slugger, who has proven himself, you are talking about adding a MLB veteran - a player who's making money, because power gets paid, and it would be a player who has proven it, or what's the point for the Dodgers?

 

Where do you find a guy like that, without adding payroll? Almost nowhere - you have to find that unique talent, on a rebuilding team, that has already shed enough payroll to take back some bad contracts from you, to shield you from a luxury tax of fifty cents on the dollar for every additional dollar you spend at this point.

 

To get this done, you also have to have the sort of prospects a rebuilding team would want - this won't be a giveaway in the first place, and if you're sending back bad contracts, it most certainly will cost you some strong young talent.

 

Enter Milwaukee - they have Ryan Braun - he fits exactly what the Dodgers are trying to add, and oh, by the way, the Dodgers are one of the few teams he cannot block a trade to (at least as far as we know) - he's from the area, and he grew up rooting for the Dodgers.

 

The Brewers have the payroll space to take back whatever Braun would make for the next two years - there's no question of that, and the Dodgers have the prospects to get Milwaukee's attention.

 

IF, LA wants Braun, the table is set.

[Madhawk23]

JosephC, that's exactly right - the luxury tax is the issue for LA, not any discussion of what Braun would get as a free agent, that's irrelevant in this case.

 

The factors are .... LA needs a hitter who mashes lefty pitching - lefties just destroyed them last year. The positions they have open to fit that hitter into right now, are left field, and second base - it doesn't take long to figure out, left field is a much more likely solution than second base to fill that need.

 

A free agent just isn't likely now, given their payroll tax situation, they're in a unique position of trying to win the 2017 World Series, having a very obvious need, and not wanting to add more money to the pile.

 

This statement is not about Braun's worth, it is about the Dodgers' ability to add his contract to their existing commitments - the Brewers have to make Braun cheap enough for LA, while LA has to make the prospect return big enough for Milwaukee.

 

This was always the case, only now, the Dodgers have a clear picture of what their costs are, because Jansen just agreed to a five-year deal, and Justin Turner is very close to a 4-year deal.

 

Will the Brewers take on enough bad money to make it work? Will the Dodgers target a less expensive player somewhere else, even if he's less than Braun, specifically because of their luxury tax situation? Will LA ask the Brewers for more players than Braun, to help fill out their bullpen, or perhaps to help them at second base for one season?

 

There are a lot of maybes here, and it won't take long for us to know if this can happen or not.

 

Great summary Splitter! This just makes too much sense for me. I know it's not my money, but why not take back a bad contract (Kazmir or McCarthy) and a guy that might need a change of scenery (Puig) in this deal for Braun - as long as you do get the prospect package that you want coming back as well. LA gets the RH power bat that they desperately need while also not adding much in payroll, and we get (hopefully) a couple of good prospects and a bit of a lottery ticket at this time in Puig.

 

Here's my question though: how interested do we think the Dodgers might be in Scooter? Obviously, they have a need at 2B and we have one we are trying to get rid of. So, can we sweeten the deal going back to LA and get a better prospect package coming back to Milwaukee?

[splitterpfj]

Might the Dodgers want Scooter Gennett? Yes, that's possible.

 

Might the Dodgers want someone like Junior Guerra or Carlos Torres? Yes, that's possible.

 

Keep in mind though, every dollar the Dodgers add in payroll also adds to their luxury tax - it likely just increases the amount the Brewers have to take back to get it done.

 

Edit: In the next two seasons - the Dodgers' bad tax years - Braun is due 40 million dollars. For those same two seasons, Scott Kazmir is due 35.5 million, while Brandon McCarthy is due 23 million. If the Brewers took Kazmir back in the deal, instead of McCarthy, LA can add Braun, without adding a single dollar in payroll for two years, by shedding just under 5 million additional somewhere.

 

If the Brewers get Puig too, he makes 8.2 million next year, and 9.2 in 2018. LA could get Braun and Gennett, Torres, or Guerra, while actually reducing their payroll for the next two seasons.

 

Oh, it can be done, Ray ..... it can most definitely be done.

[Madhawk23]

Might the Dodgers want Scooter Gennett? Yes, that's possible.

 

Might the Dodgers want someone like Junior Guerra or Carlos Torres? Yes, that's possible.

 

Keep in mind though, every dollar the Dodgers add in payroll also adds to their luxury tax - it likely just increases the amount the Brewers have to take back to get it done.

 

That's why I think we are the absolute perfect partner for them because we should have the ability to eat a bad contract or two the next couple of years here since our payroll is going to be so low. I realize it isn't my money, but if you were already planning to pay Braun his salary the next couple of years, what does it really matter if that money is going to be allocated to guys like Puig and McCarthy? Sure, neither are as good or productive as Braunie, but if that is the price we have to pay in order to get a couple of good prospects back, then sign me up!

 

Who says no to this deal:

 

LA gets:

Braun

Scooter

 

MIL gets:

Kazmir or McCarthy

Puig

Bellinger or Alvarez

Buehler

Will Smith

 

Am I getting my expectations too high here on what we could expect in return?

[brewers888]

The idea that the Brewers should essentially pay the Dodgers who have the highest payroll in baseball in order to take Braun who is one of the 3 best hitters in the history of the franchise and who is coming off a very good year is completely preposterous to me. If the Dodgers want Braun they better be giving the Brewers elite and not second tier prospects.

 

I have a big problem with a small market franchise like the Brewers giving money to the Dodgers all to take our best player who is a franchise icon. The Dodgers can either give us their top prospects, guys who will fit into our top 5 prospects lists or the Brewers should just keep Braun and let him retire as a Brewer.

 

The Brewers have their deepest farm system in at least 20 years so we aren't desperate to add mediocre talent but we don't have any marquee major league players like Braun. I realize my opinion is different than most but I want to see Ryan Braun retire a Brewer.

[Brew Kricket]

Might the Dodgers want Scooter Gennett? Yes, that's possible.

 

Might the Dodgers want someone like Junior Guerra or Carlos Torres? Yes, that's possible.

 

Keep in mind though, every dollar the Dodgers add in payroll also adds to their luxury tax - it likely just increases the amount the Brewers have to take back to get it done.

 

That's why I think we are the absolute perfect partner for them because we should have the ability to eat a bad contract or two the next couple of years here since our payroll is going to be so low. I realize it isn't my money, but if you were already planning to pay Braun his salary the next couple of years, what does it really matter if that money is going to be allocated to guys like Puig and McCarthy? Sure, neither are as good or productive as Braunie, but if that is the price we have to pay in order to get a couple of good prospects back, then sign me up!

 

Who says no to this deal:

 

LA gets:

Braun

Scooter

 

MIL gets:

Kazmir or McCarthy

Puig

Bellinger or Alvarez

Buehler

Will Smith

 

Am I getting my expectations too high here on what we could expect in return?

 

That prospect package is what I am hoping for. I was also worried my expectations were a bit too high, but taking back that amount of money swings this into relatively safe territory for the Dodgers.

The more I think about this, for just Ryan Braun, at least 1 of Bellinger/Alvarez/DeLeon (Also prefer it not to be DeLeon) would be in deal with at least 1 second tier prospect, and Bueller seem like a good fit. Scooter would have to bring at least 1 third tier prospect such as Smith. I like where your head is at, Madtown.

 

Is it bad I come on this site everyday hoping to see a headline that Braun has been dealt to the Dodgers? To me, it makes so much sense on so many levels to deal Braun now(competitive window, prospect depth in OF, relatively cheap acquisitions of Thames and Shaw, opportunity to rebuild value of McCarthy/Puig, Stearns' team building of athleticism/versatility, potential future Braun 10/5 rights).

 

Is the consensus on Bellinger's profile as a corner OF at the major league level still look to be average-ish?

[A Swing and A Drive]

The Brewers have their deepest farm system in at least 20 years so we aren't desperate to add mediocre talent but we don't have any marquee major league players like Braun. I realize my opinion is different than most but I want to see Ryan Braun retire a Brewer.

 

I think you are going to get your wish...

 

 

However, I just don't see how "franchise icon" Ryan Braun playing out the twilight of his career and retiring as a Brewer helps the Brewers win a World Series.

[Madhawk23]

The idea that the Brewers should essentially pay the Dodgers who have the highest payroll in baseball in order to take Braun who is one of the 3 best hitters in the history of the franchise and who is coming off a very good year is completely preposterous to me. If the Dodgers want Braun they better be giving the Brewers elite and not second tier prospects.

 

I have a big problem with a small market franchise like the Brewers giving money to the Dodgers all to take our best player who is a franchise icon. The Dodgers can either give us their top prospects, guys who will fit into our top 5 prospects lists or the Brewers should just keep Braun and let him retire as a Brewer.

 

The Brewers have their deepest farm system in at least 20 years so we aren't desperate to add mediocre talent but we don't have any marquee major league players like Braun. I realize my opinion is different than most but I want to see Ryan Braun retire a Brewer.

 

888, I would have agreed with you completely before the PED fiasco 3-4 years ago with Braun. Yes, he's pretty much done all the right things ever since then, but his legacy as an all-time great went out the window at that time, and because of that I'm not as invested in having him retire as a Brewer anymore.

 

Generally, I agree with you that I'd prefer not to have to send money to a team like LA or to eat salary in the way of a guy like McCarthy or Puig, but in this situation I would be OK with it. As long as we get really good prospect package in return. In my above example, we'd be getting one of the best power bats in the minors in Bellinger (and a position of need in our system), a potential top of the rotation starter down the road in Buehler and our future catcher in Smith (another position of need in our system). If they want to give us Alvarez instead of Bellinger, then we'd be getting two potential top of the rotation starters in this deal. If Adam Eaton is worth Giolito, Lopez and Dunning, then Braun and Scooter have to be worth this package (especially with us eating these bad contracts).

[splitterpfj]

The idea that the Brewers should essentially pay the Dodgers who have the highest payroll in baseball in order to take Braun who is one of the 3 best hitters in the history of the franchise and who is coming off a very good year is completely preposterous to me. If the Dodgers want Braun they better be giving the Brewers elite and not second tier prospects.

 

I have a big problem with a small market franchise like the Brewers giving money to the Dodgers all to take our best player who is a franchise icon. The Dodgers can either give us their top prospects, guys who will fit into our top 5 prospects lists or the Brewers should just keep Braun and let him retire as a Brewer.

 

The Brewers have their deepest farm system in at least 20 years so we aren't desperate to add mediocre talent but we don't have any marquee major league players like Braun. I realize my opinion is different than most but I want to see Ryan Braun retire a Brewer.

 

I haven't seen anyone advocate for the Brewers to give the Dodgers any money.

 

The Dodgers simply are not going to add a player like Braun to their existing payroll, because they are already tens of millions of dollars over the luxury tax threshold. If they took on Braun, at 20 million for next year, they'd be taxed an additional ten million ..... suddenly, Braun would cost them 30 million dollars next season. The Dodgers are not going to do that.

 

My point is, not to give LA a single penny, but to exchange Braun for a combination of good prospects and bad contracts - forget mediocre prospects - that defeats the purpose.

 

Ryan Braun is guaranteed 80 million dollars from this point forward - that number goes to 95 million if his option is picked up, rather than bought out at the end of the deal. That 80 million dollars, since it is guaranteed, is now spent - regardless.

 

The Dodgers are sitting there with Cody Bellinger and Jose De Leon at the top of their farm system - two players who are currently rated right on par with guys like Corey Ray and Josh Hader. In other words, the Brewers' farm system has one player in it who is currently considered a clear upgrade over either of them, in Lewis Brinson.

 

For this deal to be worth it, I think the Brewers have to get one of those two prospects at the front of the deal, and I think the second kid should be on, or near, any "Top 100" list you can find.

 

If the Brewers can do that, if they can get De Leon, and one more good young player, while actually shedding about half of what Braun is owed, I absolutely think they should do it.

[Point Beer Is Best]

Splitter nails it, in that the Brewers & Dodgers current situations match up perfectly to consummate a deal.

 

They could do a deal that effectively keeps their respective payrolls similar, while LA replaces bad players with a very useful one in Braun. And boy oh boy - the Dodgers would have to pay out the nose in terms in prospects to get that done. They can't use free agency, so their only avenue is to find a willing partner to take on bad contracts to part with a useful player in return for elite prospects.

 

The Brewers have the capacity to do it, and the player the Dodgers want. Can anyone else think of another club in a comparable spot that could pull off a deal like this? McCutcheon & the Pirates maybe?

[splitterpfj]

Splitter nails it, in that the Brewers & Dodgers current situations match up perfectly to consummate a deal.

 

They could do a deal that effectively keeps their respective payrolls similar, while LA replaces bad players with a very useful one in Braun. And boy oh boy - the Dodgers would have to pay out the nose in terms in prospects to get that done. They can't use free agency, so their only avenue is to find a willing partner to take on bad contracts to part with a useful player in return for elite prospects.

 

The Brewers have the capacity to do it, and the player the Dodgers want. Can anyone else think of another club in a comparable spot that could pull off a deal like this? McCutcheon & the Pirates maybe?

 

The last I saw, the Pirates had about 60 million in payroll committed to 13 players. I don't have any idea if they would, or could, take on additional salary in a trade. (both McCarthy and Kazmir make more than anyone on their roster)

 

Edit: Thanks, Point. The Dodgers look like they'll have Hill, Jansen, and Turner back - but they had an achilles heel last year - they can't hit lefties - and they've done nothing to address that. If they don't go get a right-handed masher, they're literally providing the kryptonite.

[Brew Kricket]

I think we also may be focusing too much on McCarthy or Kazmir each as a bad contract that will be a sunk cost for the Brewers. We are looking at the 1st level value to the Brewers, which is to take on the guaranteed contracts of these players, which is significantly more than their market value, to increase return in a trade for Braun.

 

The 2nd level value is once we have decided to take these contracts, there is a chance either McCarthy or Kazmir could bring value on the field. Kazmir had a solid run from '13-'15, and McCarthy was a solid rotation piece as recently as '14 before injury. If either of these pitchers could remain healthy and show the ability they have recently displayed to get outs, we could decide to trade them to a contender. Offering to eat one third/half/two thirds of the contract would at least give us a chance to lessen our financial burden slightly and bring back another prospect or two. In essence, we could be turning dollars into prospects for a 2nd time with these guys. The same logic applies to Puig, but my hope for him would be full time at bats in '17 until July and deal him as soon as possible to avoid blocking any of the youngsters.

[Madhawk23]

Splitter nails it, in that the Brewers & Dodgers current situations match up perfectly to consummate a deal.

 

They could do a deal that effectively keeps their respective payrolls similar, while LA replaces bad players with a very useful one in Braun. And boy oh boy - the Dodgers would have to pay out the nose in terms in prospects to get that done. They can't use free agency, so their only avenue is to find a willing partner to take on bad contracts to part with a useful player in return for elite prospects.

 

The Brewers have the capacity to do it, and the player the Dodgers want. Can anyone else think of another club in a comparable spot that could pull off a deal like this? McCutcheon & the Pirates maybe?

 

I don't know how willing the Twins are to take on bad contracts, but I heard Brian Dozier's name linked to the Dodgers today as well, as he would certainly help the Dodgers at a major position of need (2B) and give them the RH power bat that they desire. So, the Twins could be our biggest competitor here in making a trade with LA - if they are looking to deal Dozier, and he of course would be much cheaper than Braun. Let's hope LA desires Braun more than Dozier. Too bad Scooter wasn't a right handed bat that crushed LHP, instead of the other way around.

[Brew Kricket]

Does anyone think the announced signings of Turner and Jansen change the potential trade situation? I am not sure I expected Hill, Turner, AND Jansen all to be back. If the Braun/Dodgers trade is a net zero for the Dodgers, it doesn't change their situation, in theory.

Practically, it would eliminate the opportunity they have to make a different trade of either McCarthy or Kazmir they could be a net reduction of payroll. For example, they eat half of either contract for a low level scrub to another team that can take on the money (also an option for the Brewers).

[FVBrewerFan]

Same problem we had 35 pages ago. The Brewers basically have one option for Braun- the Dodgers. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have many options to find a RH bat. That's why I'm not real optimistic this will get done.

[brewers888]

The idea that the Brewers should essentially pay the Dodgers who have the highest payroll in baseball in order to take Braun who is one of the 3 best hitters in the history of the franchise and who is coming off a very good year is completely preposterous to me. If the Dodgers want Braun they better be giving the Brewers elite and not second tier prospects.

 

I have a big problem with a small market franchise like the Brewers giving money to the Dodgers all to take our best player who is a franchise icon. The Dodgers can either give us their top prospects, guys who will fit into our top 5 prospects lists or the Brewers should just keep Braun and let him retire as a Brewer.

 

The Brewers have their deepest farm system in at least 20 years so we aren't desperate to add mediocre talent but we don't have any marquee major league players like Braun. I realize my opinion is different than most but I want to see Ryan Braun retire a Brewer.

 

I haven't seen anyone advocate for the Brewers to give the Dodgers any money.

 

The Dodgers simply are not going to add a player like Braun to their existing payroll, because they are already tens of millions of dollars over the luxury tax threshold. If they took on Braun, at 20 million for next year, they'd be taxed an additional ten million ..... suddenly, Braun would cost them 30 million dollars next season. The Dodgers are not going to do that.

 

My point is, not to give LA a single penny, but to exchange Braun for a combination of good prospects and bad contracts - forget mediocre prospects - that defeats the purpose.

 

Ryan Braun is guaranteed 80 million dollars from this point forward - that number goes to 95 million if his option is picked up, rather than bought out at the end of the deal. That 80 million dollars, since it is guaranteed, is now spent - regardless.

 

The Dodgers are sitting there with Cody Bellinger and Jose De Leon at the top of their farm system - two players who are currently rated right on par with guys like Corey Ray and Josh Hader. In other words, the Brewers' farm system has one player in it who is currently considered a clear upgrade over either of them, in Lewis Brinson.

 

For this deal to be worth it, I think the Brewers have to get one of those two prospects at the front of the deal, and I think the second kid should be on, or near, any "Top 100" list you can find.

 

If the Brewers can do that, if they can get De Leon, and one more good young player, while actually shedding about half of what Braun is owed, I absolutely think they should do it.

 

Taking on a useless player like Kazmir or McCarthy and their awful contracts is the same as giving the Dodgers money. As for the prospect return for Braun I just don't see De Leon who projects as a 3rd starter best case scenario as a good enough return. I want Bellinger and Alvarez if we are going to trade them Braun and take on a bloated contract to help the Dodgers pay less of a luxury tax.

 

I understand that many fans have soured on Braun and are willing to take back bad contracts to facilitate a trade but I just don't see why we should trade a player like Braun who is still elite offensively for what I would consider less than top prospects. If the best we can do is De Leon and a lesser prospect or two plus helping the Dodgers financially by taking McCarthy or Kazmir I would just stand pat and enjoy Braun in a Brewers uniform. I was all for the rebuild and think we are headed in the right direction but I also enjoy watching a talent like Braun play for the Brewers and don't want to accept anything less than a great return if we are going to trade him.

[Brew Kricket]

If Enrique Hernandez would not have been quite so awful in '16, he would have been a decent looking platoon mate with scooter. Hernandez mashed lefties in '15 in 87 plate appearances to a tune of .423/.471/.744 for a .1215 ops. Obviously, small sample and he regressed last year to a point where I doubt the Dodgers are comfortable handing him any guaranteed AB's.

 

A scooter/hernandez platoon at 2b with Braun in left is a tough call verse Dozier at 2b with an OF platoon. I would think the ability to have Braun solidify LF leaving CF/RF to matchups would be welcomed given the heavy splits of all their OF bodies. Joc Pederson has his strengths, but he hit .125 against LHP last year.

 

On Paper, Pederson, Tholes, Thompson, Ethier, Puig, Van Slyke, and Ruf is a flawed group that I doubt the Dodgers will take into the season as their OF group.

[MrTPlush]

I don't think the Dodgers have that deep of an interest in Braun and think this latest spending spree might mean they have zero interest. I think we are making that August talk a lot more than it was. Things change and any trade to the Dodgers may just not materialize.

[Brew Kricket]

Taking on a useless player like Kazmir or McCarthy and their awful contracts is the same as giving the Dodgers money. As for the prospect return for Braun I just don't see De Leon who projects as a 3rd starter best case scenario as a good enough return. I want Bellinger and Alvarez if we are going to trade them Braun and take on a bloated contract to help the Dodgers pay less of a luxury tax.

 

I understand that many fans have soured on Braun and are willing to take back bad contracts to facilitate a trade but I just don't see why we should trade a player like Braun who is still elite offensively for what I would consider less than top prospects. If the best we can do is De Leon and a lesser prospect or two plus helping the Dodgers financially by taking McCarthy or Kazmir I would just stand pat and enjoy Braun in a Brewers uniform. I was all for the rebuild and think we are headed in the right direction but I also enjoy watching a talent like Braun play for the Brewers and don't want to accept anything less than a great return if we are going to trade him.

 

Well, it comes back to the basics on assigning value. What would YOU sign Braun for right now if he were a free agent?

 

To me, even as an elite hitter, he is also an injury prone (played 135-140 games from '14-'16, but needs rest often) 33 year old who is already a poor fielder at a spot like LF with this amount of guaranteed money and past steroid use, I just don't see a scenario with a decent trade haul without taking money back.

[NievesNoNO]

I don't think the Dodgers have that deep of an interest in Braun and think this latest spending spree might mean they have zero interest. I think we are making that August talk a lot more than it was. Things change and any trade to the Dodgers may just not materialize.

 

I would agree. A team with an actual financial bind wouldn't have just spent what they did. I think it's more of how the Dodgers value Puig moving forward. Do they want him and want to deal with his immaturity at his most recent level of production?

 

They have a whole host of OFs that could fill the role. Maybe not as well as Braun, but if they're willing to move forward with Puig then there's really no discussion. I think we've kind of made the assumption they don't want him but that might not necessarily be the case.

 

All that said, I don't think there's any chance the Brewers allow Braun's 10/5 rights to kick in. I wouldn't rule out San Francisco as a landing spot with obviously a much lesser return than what we'd all like.