Milwaukee Brewers Rumors: Trading Ryan Braun Would Be Great Idea

After a 68-94 record in 2015, and with a new general manager in place, the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to rebuild. Trade rumors have surrounded catcher Jonathan Lucroy, and he stands out as the most tradeable veteran on the team. But Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggests the Brewers “would not hesitate” to trade outfielder Ryan Braun.

Braun is coming off a productive 2015 season, with a .285/.356/.498 slash line, 25 home runs, 84 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. A second season in right field was better for him, in terms of advanced defensive stats, but offense is what drives Braun’s value. And at 32 years old, a decline is sure to be coming soon.

Braun, of course, has a past PED suspension on his resume, coupled with his steadfast denial that was proven to be untrue and made him look bad all the way around. But he also carries durability concerns now, with a lingering right thumb issue that has required multiple cryogenic procedures and surgery for a herniated disc in his lower back in October adding to the idea he is simply breaking down physically.

There’s also the small matter of Braun’s contract. The five-year contract extension he signed in April of 2011, in the midst of what has to be considered a PED-fueled peak in hindsight, finally kicks in this year. Over the next five seasons he is due a total of $105 million, and with a mutual option for 2021 worth up to $20 million ($4 million buyout). The deal, which has Braun fully under contract until he is almost 37 years old, looked bad at the time and looks even worse now since it also contains what Haudricourt classified as significant no-trade protection.

Trading Braun is a great idea for the Brewers, if solid value could be had in return, but they would surely have to eat a significant portion of the money he is due. And considering the cache Braun’s name once carried, they’d probably still take a dismal return in terms of players. So new general manager David Stearns is probably stuck with a very bad contract for now, and he should cross his fingers that Braun boosts his trade value with a big start to the 2016 season.