What could Braun bring from anyone? (2017 version)

[reillymcshane]

I haven't looked at the data recently, but the last time I checked the Dodgers needed a high OPS right handed stick because that was the sore spot in their lineup. Bellinger isn't a fix for that.

As a note, the Dodgers have a .657 OPS vs left-handed pitchers. Against righties, it's .781.

 

Puig has struggled against lefties this year (4 of 30), which is unusual. But the size is small - so he will likely improve. And Forsythe - another good right-handed bat - will be back in early May. Again, that will help them.

 

But a big right-handed bat like Braun would fit in their lineup nicely. It's not something they have in their farm system either (Alex Verdugo and Willie Calhoun - the club's top hitting prospects at AAA - outside of Bellinger - are both left-handed). I'm not saying they'll trade for Braun. Just that his bat would look good for them.

 

I will add that the free agent market for good right-handed bats is pretty weak for this off season. JD Martinez, Lucroy, McCutchen (if he is made a FA - but if he is, that means he probably didn't have a good year), and maybe Justin Upton if he opts out. Perhaps I missed someone, but the point is that it's going to cost them to sign a good bat. And all those guys have their warts (injuries, declining performance, age, etc.). Braun will cost as much, and is still hitting well. At his age, there is certainly risk. But he would fill a large need for LA - a need that isn't going to get much better without some kind of move from Dodger management.

[FVBrewerFan]

I haven't looked at the data recently, but the last time I checked the Dodgers needed a high OPS right handed stick because that was the sore spot in their lineup. Bellinger isn't a fix for that.

 

If Bellinger provides a high OPS stick period they aren't going to spend $70mil on a mid 30s outfielder. Sure they want to hit LHP better, but I doubt they replace a good hitter for that reason alone. They will replace someone who is terrible overall to help that or not at all.

 

The money, prospects, and all the risk involved with trading for Braun all for 120 ABs against LHP as your improvement? Seems like a poor investment if Bellinger can hit.

 

It's not about 120 ABs vs LHP. It's about 10-20 ABs vs LHP during the playoffs. The Dodgers will almost certainly make it to the post-season with or without Braun. But adding Braun's bat to the line-up for the playoffs would have a significant impact on their chance to win a WS. Ditto for 2018, and then a chance he can contribute for the two years beyond that.

[MrTPlush]

I haven't looked at the data recently, but the last time I checked the Dodgers needed a high OPS right handed stick because that was the sore spot in their lineup. Bellinger isn't a fix for that.

 

If Bellinger provides a high OPS stick period they aren't going to spend $70mil on a mid 30s outfielder. Sure they want to hit LHP better, but I doubt they replace a good hitter for that reason alone. They will replace someone who is terrible overall to help that or not at all.

 

The money, prospects, and all the risk involved with trading for Braun all for 120 ABs against LHP as your improvement? Seems like a poor investment if Bellinger can hit.

 

It's not about 120 ABs vs LHP. It's about 10-20 ABs vs LHP during the playoffs. The Dodgers will almost certainly make it to the post-season with or without Braun. But adding Braun's bat to the line-up for the playoffs would have a significant impact on their chance to win a WS. Ditto for 2018, and then a chance he can contribute for the two years beyond that.

 

And I am not doubting that, but if Bellinger can be a an above average bat I honestly just don't see the improvement Braun makes considering the cost. The difference just isn't there then. If they had a Giants type situation in LF then we are talking, but having some to hit lefties better isn't a dire need and more like a luxury if it is that costly to acquire.

[endaround]

Braun to the Dodgers only made sense when they were trying to get rid of Puig. Since that isn't happening, he really doesn't make much sense. Better to get a short term player if all you are worried about is a few dozen PAs. The Royals are dying so Cain will soon be available for the remainder of this season and then he can walk.

 

There are teams that could use a LFer but if Braun makes picking up his option part of the cost of waiving his no trade clause, he will be very difficult to move without the Brewers dumping a load of money.

[MillerParkSouth]

Interesting couple of proposals here. What do you guys think? My expectations are all out of whack but my first reaction to both of these was "meh", although I don't know that we'd be able to do better.

 

http://herosports.com/mlb/the-haul-trading-ryan-braun-rangers-astros-c6c6

 

From Texas: 1B/3B JOEY GALLO, LHP YOHANDER MENDEZ, C JOSE TREVINO

 

From Houston: RHP DAVID PAULINO, OF DEREK FISHER, C GARRETT STUBBS

[billymac]

I would be happy with either of these scenario's, although I'd rather swap out Derek Fisher for AJ Reed in the Astros deal.

 

http://herosports.com/mlb/the-haul-trading-ryan-braun-rangers-astros-c6c6

 

If the Crew is playing near a wild card spot come the deadline I don't think he gets moved though until the winter. If the Brewers are not playing that great, there could be a large number of suitors for Braun at the deadline(Dodgers, Astros, Rangers, Giants).

[wallus]

Interesting couple of proposals here. What do you guys think? My expectations are all out of whack but my first reaction to both of these was "meh", although I don't know that we'd be able to do better.

 

http://herosports.com/mlb/the-haul-trading-ryan-braun-rangers-astros-c6c6

 

From Texas: 1B/3B JOEY GALLO, LHP YOHANDER MENDEZ, C JOSE TREVINO

 

From Houston: RHP DAVID PAULINO, OF DEREK FISHER, C GARRETT STUBBS

 

The key part that isn't mentioned with those is money. How much would the Brewers be picking up in those deals? If it is little to none, I would accept both of those immediately. If it is a lot, I would have to think about it.

[adambr2]

Well the biggest part would be whether Braun is even willing to go to either of those teams. Everything else is moot if he's not.

[MrTPlush]

From Texas: 1B/3B JOEY GALLO, LHP YOHANDER MENDEZ, C JOSE TREVINO

 

From Houston: RHP DAVID PAULINO, OF DEREK FISHER, C GARRETT STUBBS

 

If we were getting offered deals like that Braun would have been shipped out long long ago. I don't expect teams to suddenly start offering Top 50 prospects. That Rangers deal is ridiculous and never going to happen, ever.

[SandyTolan]

From Texas: 1B/3B JOEY GALLO, LHP YOHANDER MENDEZ, C JOSE TREVINO

 

From Houston: RHP DAVID PAULINO, OF DEREK FISHER, C GARRETT STUBBS

 

If we were getting offered deals like that Braun would have been shipped out long long ago. I don't expect teams to suddenly start offering Top 50 prospects. That Rangers deal is ridiculous and never going to happen, ever.

 

 

Yeah I'd say neither of those deals are gonna happen. Quite possibly nothing will. I think the likeliest time for a deal, with SF, LAD, or whomever, would be in late July, given that May 14 is too early, considering how well the Brewers are playing so far.

[FVBrewerFan]

From Houston: RHP DAVID PAULINO, OF DEREK FISHER, C GARRETT STUBBS

 

Why would the Brewers want a retired Point Guard in return? And if Garrett is related to Franklin Stubbs in any way, no thanks.

[adambr2]

Not really sure where Gallo would fit either. We're clearly set at 1st for a few years, so it would have to be for 3rd. You'd almost have to include Shaw to the Rangers as part of the deal, but I'm pretty happy with Shaw and Perez at 3rd.

 

I do think Gallo will be good though. Never a high average, but obviously a ton of power and good OBP. Basically another Adam Dunn except I think he'll be better than Dunn defensively.

[brewerfan82]

That deal is too good to be true, but if it happened, I think Gallo would have to play first and Thames would take Braun's spot in left.

[reillymcshane]

I always love the proposals that people throw out with the caveat of 'the Brewers would need to send back some money' or something like that.

 

Um, okay - how much? That's a huge part of the equation with any trade proposal.

 

Without considering the money involved, it makes all these ideas essentially worthless.

[adambr2]

I also think the deals that have Braun going to a mystery team like Texas are kind of pointless. Being a contender isn't enough for Braun right now, it's going to have to be a preferred destination. The Rangers have a pretty good number of ex-Brewers but I doubt that's enough to tip the scale.

 

As far as it seems to me, Braun's 1A preference is to go out west somewhere and 1B would be to stay in Milwaukee. Maybe he'd still waive it to go to Miami after he gets his 10/5, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

I could be wrong but I don't see him just going wherever we get a good deal from .

[billymac]

Braun did make one change to his teams though for his no trade list. Was Braun good friends with Gomez, Lucroy and Jeffress in Texas that maybe he saw an opportunity to join them on a good team on paper? Who knows, but there was a tweet with a few weeks left in Spring Training that a Texas reporter suggested Braun to Texas would take place within a month based on chatter in the industry.

[Jose Cardenal1]

As much as he wants to be on the west coast, I wonder what his thoughts are on going to an AL team where he could be a full-time DH relatively soon. I think Braun's got the game and approach to be an extremely proficient DH well into his upper 30's. He is a professional hitter ala Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz and Paul Molitor.

[MrTPlush]

Braun did make one change to his teams though for his no trade list. Was Braun good friends with Gomez, Lucroy and Jeffress in Texas that maybe he saw an opportunity to join them on a good team on paper? Who knows, but there was a tweet with a few weeks left in Spring Training that a Texas reporter suggested Braun to Texas would take place within a month based on chatter in the industry.

 

Not buying the theory. 2/3 of those guys won't even be on that team next year(likely, potentially, who knows). I doubt Braun would commit 4 years to Texas when 3 years those guys might not even be there.

[FVBrewerFan]

Braun did make one change to his teams though for his no trade list. Was Braun good friends with Gomez, Lucroy and Jeffress in Texas that maybe he saw an opportunity to join them on a good team on paper? Who knows, but there was a tweet with a few weeks left in Spring Training that a Texas reporter suggested Braun to Texas would take place within a month based on chatter in the industry.

 

Technically, that rumor has already been proven wrong. Braun would have been traded a month ago if this reporter was right?

[monty57]

As much as he wants to be on the west coast, I wonder what his thoughts are on going to an AL team where he could be a full-time DH relatively soon. I think Braun's got the game and approach to be an extremely proficient DH well into his upper 30's. He is a professional hitter ala Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz and Paul Molitor.

 

I agree that Braun could be a great DH, but I think that he believes that he's a good defender who could be a starting SS or 3B right now, so I doubt that he's seeking out a place where he could be a DH. Not saying that he wouldn't accept a trade to someone like the Angels so that he could be in L.A., but it wouldn't be because he wants to play DH.

 

All in all, I think Braun will remain a Brewer, and if we're going to get "stuck" with anyone, he's not a bad guy to get "stuck" with.

[adambr2]

http://www.brewcrewball.com/2017/4/27/15255250/milwaukee-brewers-have-had-ryan-braun-discussions-with-san-francisco-giants-per-report

 

Latest rumors with Giants:

 

Speculation at this point is basically that while the Giants could probably get a deal done for Braun, it would be unlikely without including both Beede and Arroyo, and the Brewers would be looking for the Giants to take the vast majority of Braun's salary.

[TURBO]

http://www.brewcrewball.com/2017/4/27/15255250/milwaukee-brewers-have-had-ryan-braun-discussions-with-san-francisco-giants-per-report

 

Latest rumors with Giants:

 

Speculation at this point is basically that while the Giants could probably get a deal done for Braun, it would be unlikely without including both Beede and Arroyo, and the Brewers would be looking for the Giants to take the vast majority of Braun's salary.

 

Good, as it should be...

 

Braun is a difference maker NOW! Anyone that wants him is going to have to pony up.

[pacopete4]

http://www.brewcrewball.com/2017/4/27/15255250/milwaukee-brewers-have-had-ryan-braun-discussions-with-san-francisco-giants-per-report

 

Latest rumors with Giants:

 

Speculation at this point is basically that while the Giants could probably get a deal done for Braun, it would be unlikely without including both Beede and Arroyo, and the Brewers would be looking for the Giants to take the vast majority of Braun's salary.

 

Good, as it should be...

 

Braun is a difference maker NOW! Anyone that wants him is going to have to pony up.

 

Couldn't agree more. To sell him for peanuts would be a bad decision on the Brewers behalf. The way he's looking, I am more and more feeling that he'll be an elite hitter for quite awhile. Those don't grow on trees.

[MrTPlush]

I think the Giants would swing a deal if they could start winning games. At 8-15? Nothing is going to happen and I am not too confident they turn their poor fortunes around.

[Jose Cardenal1]

Don't like the way the author painted the brewers stance that we are looking for salary relief. That isn't true. That is a writer from a big city assuming a small market is always looking to shed payroll.

 

Stearns is right to at least initially take the stance that Braun (as is) is worth good prospects in return. It is the other teams stance that the Brewers should carry some of the salary burden to get those prospects. That is the negotiation that will occur.

 

Painting it as if the Brewers are looking to shed salary gives the impression that Stearns will take little in return for getting out of his contract. That is not where the Brewers are with Braun. There is no sense to trade him unless there is a good return.