Is 2020 Braun’s last year in Milwaukee?

[thebruce44]

The Brewers have a ton more problems and issues going on with their franchise than being concerned with whether Ryan Braun comes back.

 

I do wonder how Yelich handles a Braun retirement. That clubhouse is starting to get short on talent, leadership, and some of that "swag" that made it special over the last few seasons.

 

This year’s Brewers seemed like the most “anti-swag” team I’ve ever seen in the modern era. I’m concerned they are being built in Counsell’s image. And if they continue building the pitching staff, that could actually work. But man oh man what a boring, uninspiring team to watch. This year’s Braves remind me a little of the 2018-2019 Brewers. Loose, energetic, a mix of colorful characters and swag.

 

Ken Macha would’ve felt right at home with the 2020 Brew Crew.

 

How are you supposed to have SWAG when you are flirting with the Mendoza Line?

 

Conversely, Yelich seems to have shown some bravado when he has been crushing it ("Relax Roxane", or "no one needs help facing you" to Darvish).

[MrTPlush]

Ken Macha would’ve felt right at home with the 2020 Brew Crew.

 

Please....please don't bring him up ever again.

[3and2Fastball]

Ken Macha would’ve felt right at home with the 2020 Brew Crew.

 

Please....please don't bring him up ever again.

 

I will keep that promise if and only if the Brewers stop signing the likes of Smoak/Healy/Sogard in replace of Aguilar/Thames/Perez

[MrTPlush]

Ken Macha would’ve felt right at home with the 2020 Brew Crew.

 

Please....please don't bring him up ever again.

 

I will keep that promise if and only if the Brewers stop signing the likes of Smoak/Healy/Sogard in replace of Aguilar/Thames/Perez

 

Okay...I might as well buy a Ken Macha Jersey then. Be right back for the next Macha story.

[DHonks]

How are you supposed to have SWAG when you are flirting with the Mendoza Line?

 

The preferred term in these parts is "Uecker Line."

[HiAndTight]

I do wonder how Yelich handles a Braun retirement. That clubhouse is starting to get short on talent, leadership, and some of that "swag" that made it special over the last few seasons.

 

 

I don't think they'll be short on leadership. They've got a manager who I think is a pretty great leader, but LoCain coming back provides plenty of leadership, Yelich. I think younger guys can be leaders and I think Woody has already established himself as one.

 

But, as Bruce mentioned, the swag's only coming back if they can hit the ball. It's hard to get excited when you're scoring 3 runs a game.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The Brewers have a ton more problems and issues going on with their franchise than being concerned with whether Ryan Braun comes back.

 

I do wonder how Yelich handles a Braun retirement. That clubhouse is starting to get short on talent, leadership, and some of that "swag" that made it special over the last few seasons.

 

This year’s Brewers seemed like the most “anti-swag” team I’ve ever seen in the modern era. I’m concerned they are being built in Counsell’s image. And if they continue building the pitching staff, that could actually work. But man oh man what a boring, uninspiring team to watch. This year’s Braves remind me a little of the 2018-2019 Brewers. Loose, energetic, a mix of colorful characters and swag.

 

Ken Macha would’ve felt right at home with the 2020 Brew Crew.

 

Half the team was comprised of one-year journeymen who basically played a regular season from March to May. It shouldn't surprise anyone that they didn't look like a close-knit group.

[pacopete4]

Found this interesting per Kyle Lesniewski:

 

“Braun just finished his 14th consecutive season with an OPS+ over 100 and posted his best ISO since 2012, despite a career-low .232 BABIP.“

 

Pay the man!

[Soupbone]

I am of the opinion that Braun will be back next year. Sign a contract somewhat above the option buyout. Where else do you find a bat like that for a couple of million dollars?

[JosephC]

I'd let Braun go and for me it would be an easy decision-

 

OBP-

2016 = .365

2017 = .336

2018 = .313

2019 = .343

2020 = .281

 

OPS-

2016 = .903

2017 = .823

2018 = .782

2019 = .849

2020 = .769

 

2019 looks like a real outlier, otherwise a pretty convincing downward trend. Will be 37 years old. Bad defensively. I should wait to see what some of the models project, but it looks like the Brewers would be signing a DH (if there is a NL DH in 2021) that I'm guessing would project to be about a .750 OPS hitter. For me that's an easy pass. Maybe I'll change my mind when/if the projection services release their numbers and if they are better than I am anticipating.

[Jopal78]

I am of the opinion that Braun will be back next year. Sign a contract somewhat above the option buyout. Where else do you find a bat like that for a couple of million dollars?

 

First of all Braun has to exercise his half of his $15 million dollar option (I assume if he decides to play in 2021 this is a forgone conclusion). The Brewers most assuredly will decline their half of the mutual option. However, Braun isn't going to play sign with any team for $5 million dollars a year. Take a look at some comparable players:

 

For example, Matt Holliday has similar career numbers to Ryan Braun. He became a free agent at age 36 and singed a 1yr/13 million dollar contract with New York.

Lance Berkman, with better career numbers than Braun, became a free agent at 36 and signed a 1yr/10 million dollar contract with Texas.

After his last season in St. Louis at age 37 season with a .728 OPS, Jim Edmonds signed a 1yr/8 million dollar deal with the San Diego Padres.

At 38, Nelson Cruz signed a 2/yr 26 million dollar contract with Minnesota.

Carlos Beltran at 40 signed a 1 yr/16 million dollar contract with Houston.

 

If he decides to play in 2021 he may take a haircut from $15 million dollars, but its not going to be much (With 4 million already sunk on the option regardless of what happens, its a difference of 11 million which is actually quite on point given the above). In addition to the compelling argument his agents would invariably have in terms of value based on comparable players, at the end of the day all ballplayers are union members. Braun has had enough career earnings that even if he wants to play he'd probably retire rather than play on a cut rate contract, because of the bad precedent for an aging star taking a cut rate contract.

[sveumrules]

If Braun wants to play another year I'd imagine the Brewers will offer something like six to eight million on a one year deal.

 

With the four million buyout that gets Braun up to around 10-12 million total.

[TURBO]

I think he is going to want to hit that 2K hit mark and will come back at a discounted price. Not play for free, but I doubt it takes 15 million to sign him for one year.

[Lathund]

In more normal times I think the chances of him coming back on the kind of $10m type of deal (Total of buyout + salary) were pretty good. But with the economic impact of 2020 (And/or the excuse of the economic impact to cut payroll across the league) it seems a lot less likely to me, and that the Brewers would only be interested in bringing him back for a lot less. Which I don't think Braun would be too keen on.

[markedman5]

When is the date when the option decision has to be made?

[nate82]

When is the date when the option decision has to be made?

 

Would have to be after the World Series. So probably sometime in November or December.

[trwi7]

If Braun wants to play another year I'd imagine the Brewers will offer something like six to eight million on a one year deal.

 

With the four million buyout that gets Braun up to around 10-12 million total.

 

That's pretty overpriced for someone who is declining and going to miss quite a few games/be a 4th outfielder. If he wants to come back for $3 million or something fine, otherwise he can go somewhere else or retire.

[owbc]

I would like to see an Ichiro-style farewell. Sign Braun to a one-week contract and get him a couple of low leverage ABs in front of the fans.

 

If he wants a longer farewell tour it would have to be for really cheap, as noted by others. Or play for someone else. Then he can do the above at the start of 2022.

[djoctagone]

I would like to see an Ichiro-style farewell. Sign Braun to a one-week contract and get him a couple of low leverage ABs in front of the fans.

make it a 10-day contract (for reasons outlined here), and it's easier for the club to maintain organizational depth.

[Oxy]

I would like to see an Ichiro-style farewell. Sign Braun to a one-week contract and get him a couple of low leverage ABs in front of the fans.

make it a 10-day contract (for reasons outlined here), and it's easier for the club to maintain organizational depth.

 

Huh. I'd rather sign him in on August 31st and give him 100 high leverage ABs including a playoff spot.

[owbc]

I would like to see an Ichiro-style farewell. Sign Braun to a one-week contract and get him a couple of low leverage ABs in front of the fans.

make it a 10-day contract (for reasons outlined here), and it's easier for the club to maintain organizational depth.

 

Huh. I'd rather sign him in on August 31st and give him 100 high leverage ABs including a playoff spot.

 

Can a 37 year old Braun stay healthy for 100 ABs? It doesn't seem like it.

[pacopete4]

Can a 37 year old Braun stay healthy for 100 ABs? It doesn't seem like it.

 

Should that be in blue? Otherwise, it's such hyperbole. Hell, he had over 140 PA's this past season in a weird one, let alone having over 500 in 2019.

[pacopete4]

Per TH: Brett Phillips said he had some 500 text messages from well wishers after winning Game 4 of World Series, including one from former #Brewers teammate Ryan Braun. "I didn't go to bed until 4 a.m. after replaying to every single one of those messages."

 

 

Pay the man.

[adambr2]

Braun's bat just isn't good enough anymore to prioritize making a roster spot for him. Our OF depth isn't great but you've got Cain back next year, obviously Yelich and Garcia.

 

It was a weird season but Braun was barely average offensively with a 101 OPS+ and a meager. 281 OBP. He's just very replaceable at this point in his career and you are probably just as well off production-wise giving Taylor his spot. I know he can still come up with some big hits at times but when you look at the whole statistical picture there's just not enough there anymore to necessitate bringing him back. Compound that with the fact that he has trouble staying healthy and it's just time to give him his gold watch and move on. Thanks for the great career, Ryan.

[djoctagone]

the world series has concluded. the brewers have five days to exercise braun's option.