Milwaukee beat writer Todd Rosiak of the Journal-Sentinel believes the Brewers would trade outfielder Ryan Braun, but only if a team were to take on his entire salary which he calls unlikely.
“I’d think they most certainly would, but because of the money he’s owed – his extension doesn’t even kick in until next season – it’s highly unlikely unless the Brewers would agree to eat some of it.”
“Their trading partners would also most certainly be limited to big-market teams, and there would likely be questions regarding his thumb as well as the past PED issues.”
Through 173 plate appearances, he is batting .272/.349/.543 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI.
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said the team is still in “win now” mode so you could imagine the return they would want once a team agrees to take on that salary.
Other players likely to be moved are pending free agents Kyle Lohse and Aramis Ramirez, but Rosiak believes the team would also move Carlos Gomez, Jonathan Lucroy and Jean Segura for the right package.
Where do the Mets fit in on Braun? They don’t, with over $45 million annually invested in David Wright, Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer, there’s no wiggle room for taking on a contract like Braun even if they could convince the Brewers to eat 25% of his contract.
Then expect the return to be Noah Syndergaard, Michael Conforto, Amed Rosario and Akeel Morris for starters. Still Interested?
Braun, 31, is owed $15 million for this season, and the new $105 million extension kicks in next year, averaging over $20 million per season.
There was an obscure rumor that Sandy Alderson was after Braun two years ago, but it sounded sketchy at best given the $80 million payroll budget the Mets had at the time.
