What would it take to trade Braun (Just for fun!)

[twobrewers]

So after watching Braun consistantly kill the heck out of the ball for a few months know - I would imagine we are all giddy about this kid. I was going to say we are giddy about his future, but heck...I am giddy with what he is doing NOW! If he never improves from this year, he would still be an all star year in and year out.

So, just for fun, I was thinking about what it would take to actually trade away Braun. Many times teams say a player "is untouchable", but they don't really mean it - they just mean we are keeping him because we value him more than any trade that will be offered to us. For example, while A-Rod might be "untouchable" I am sure the Yankees would have traded him for Santana, Nathan, and Mauer.

But Braun is as close to untouchable as I can remember. He is very young. He is under our control for 6(?) years - and is currently making the league minimum. (Yes, I am counting contracts as a factor) So with that said, what would a GM have to offer you to actually trade away this kid? (For example, A-Rod is better - but makes a ton and can opt out after next year. So there is no way I would trade A-Rod for Braun straight up)

The best match I could come up with is the Phillies. I would trade Braun for two of the following...Hamels, Utley, Rollins.

What would you need to be offered?

[UeckerAddict]

Pictures of Doug Melvin in a compromising position.

[DannoMac21]

Pujols. A-Rod.

 

You can't say that this is one of those times where "pitching matters most". Braun has been so ridiculously successful, and has, at times, carried this team. I would only trade him for the two above players, and right now, to be honest, I'm even debating Pujols.

 

In no way am I trading Braun for a combination of Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, or Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels. That's terrible.

 

Braun is the closest thing I have seen to untouchable since Brett Favre back in 1996. There shouldn't even be a thread about this, since there is nothing of fair value we could get for him right now.

[razzzorsharp]

Twins resign Santana and pay for a lor of his contract. Santana/Mauer for Braun.

[The Ignitor]

I agree with Santana/Mauer for Braun, plus one decent Twins pitching prospect. Melvin would still be crazy to do it. But that's what it would take. And I don't think the other team would ever give up that much. Thus, thankfully making Braun untouchable.

[uwisfan]

Santana/Mauer sounds about right. We can use a catcher more than a 3B, and Mauer's numbers have been pretty ridiculous also, especially at that position. Mauer's health and Santana's contract offset Braun's length of cheap contract left. Pujols is too expensive comparatively and plays 1B. Arod is way too expensive and Braun may be in his league.

[twobrewers]

Actually, the Mets would have enough to make me trade Braun too. I would take Reyes and Wright in exchange for Braun. I believe they both have friendly long term contracts as well.

[paul253]

I would take Reyes and Wright in exchange for Braun

 

haha....you'd really take 2 young, perennial all-starts in exchange for Ryan Braun? Let's be serious for a second. No way would the Mets trade Reyes and Wright for Braun. No way would the twins trade Santana and Mauer for Braun. If Philly came calling with Hamels and Utley, I'd probably take that.

[Invader3K]

Wright for Braun would arguably be pointless. I mean, you'd just be swapping two young 3Bs with huge upside, and taking a gamble on who is going to go a little further than the other.

[KCBrewerfan34]

UNTOUCHABLE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Big Reed]

there are many players I 'd trade braun for. however, you have to realize most of those players will be making over $10,000 for the next 10 years. I wouldn't mind trading braun for Miguel Cabrera, but i've heard he has a Sheffield type attitude. I'd trade braun for pujols, but then what would the brewers do with Fielder? I'd trade him for Ryan Howard. Can howard play outfield? Utley would be a good choice as well. maybe reyes or Wright, but the mets won't give up both. the twins are not going to give up both Santana and mauer. I'd trade him for the twins' Mauer. I'd think about trading him for Zimmerman, gordan or Wright if i felt I wanted to improve the brewers' defense at third.

 

the problem with trading braun is two-fold.

1. if you do trade Braun, then the brewers don't really have anybody to play third unless you plan to move Hall back to third. don't think that will sit that well with Hall constantly moving him around.

2. Braun is a baragain. You may be able to trade him for somebody who produces the same amount on the field. but that person will not be playing for the minimum like Braun is and that person will leave for bigger money a lot sooner than Braun would be able to do.

trading braun for somebody of equal ability would mean trading him for some $10 million player. and if you did that, you wouldn't have that money available to keep some other quality guy like Sheets or Capuano. the successful teams always have a mixture of high salaried veterans and rookies playing for the minimum. Even the Yankees have followed this as guys like Cano were given a chance to start as a rookie.

[saget]

We should just keep Braun because he's better than every player listed in this thread.

[kgbaseball]

I just hope they do like the Mets did and sign Braun to a long term deal after this season or next.

[twobrewers]

Seems like a lot of people are taking this idea literally...

 

OBVIOUSLY, the Met won't trade Wright and Reyes for Braun. But I wouldn't trade Braun for any less...

 

I would take Braun over Wright straight up as Braun is younger and making less. Hence, they would need to add Reyes. Now the Mets would never trade their two cornerstone players. But if I was Melvin and someone called asking about Braun - what would you actually need to get in return to trade him. There aren't many teams that can even put together a package that would entice me.

[MoneyballMan]

Pictures of Doug Melvin in a compromising position.

Exactly.

[MoneyballMan]

Seems like a lot of people are taking this idea literally...

 

OBVIOUSLY, the Met won't trade Wright and Reyes for Braun. But I wouldn't trade Braun for any less...

 

I would take Braun over Wright straight up as Braun is younger and making less. Hence, they would need to add Reyes. Now the Mets would never trade their two cornerstone players. But if I was Melvin and someone called asking about Braun - what would you actually need to get in return to trade him. There aren't many teams that can even put together a package that would entice me.

You're correct about some taking this seriously. Someone will have to watch other fan sites to see which forum (probably the Cubs) who will take this thread completely out of context and begin ridiculing us. "Ha, they really think they can get Wright and Reyes for Braun" - I can see it already....

 

[mothershipconnection]

I'd start with a minimum of a pre-arby star or star player with several years remaining and a prospect akin to what Braun was a year ago. Unless we knew for certain that Mark A decided he's willing and able to spend a ton of money, I don't know that I'd trade Braun straight-up for anyone. There are few guys this young, cheap, and good - maybe Hanley Ramirez This would all change if we were the Yankees, though, as you take Peavey or Webb and immediately sign them to an extension.

[GAME05]

i kind of liked the Utley/Hamels idea.

 

--you wouldn't really trade him for some vet like Pujols or ARod because you may as well pay for some big-name guy in FA and not have to trade anybody away from the team.

--no sense in swapping one young guy for another.

[Chio151]

Pictures of Doug Melvin in a compromising position.

Exactly.

 

Nonsense, I think Dougie would be willing to suffer any public embarrassment that a photo could bear -- it wouldn't come close to what he would suffer should he trade Braun.

[recte44]

http://www.bohemianscientist.org/images/blog06/headexplode.jpg

 

 

[Brian the Automator]

No one's untouchable. You throw enough amazing players in the other direction, and any deal is worth making.

[dlk9s]

They should trade him for Ken Phelps.

[JJHardy7]

I'd trade him for Helms.

[Invader3K]

Jeter/A-Rod for Braun.

 

Get it done, Doug!

[bucksman4]

I might consider Miguel Cabrera for Braun. Miguel Cabrera is still young and has proven he can put up the big numbers over a few year's duration. He's never had a Prince Fielder protecting him in the lineup so on a team like the Brewers, his numbers could be even better. Plus, I like the fact he's shown the ability to play multiple positions which increases his value to a ball club. You may not like the deal but I certainly think you can't laugh it off either. I'm not advocating it by any means, but I thought it was certainly a viable offer.