The no-trade protection in Ryan Braun’s contract allows the star outfielder to block a deal to every team besides the Angels, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, Marlins and Padres, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). Like most players with partial no-trade clauses, Braun has the ability to change the teams on his no-trade list each year; last season, the Angels, Dodgers, Marlins, Nationals and Rays were the only clubs that escaped Braun’s veto power.
Braun is in his first season of a five-year, $105MM extension that he signed way back in 2011, when he still had almost five full years remaining on his previous extension with the Brewers. It’s been a roller-coaster for Braun and the Brewers ever since — superstar seasons in 2011 and 2012, a 65-game suspension in 2013 for his role in the Biogenesis scandal and some recurring injuries, particularly to his thumb.
Braun rebounded for a very productive year in 2015, though his future salary commitments have made him a possible trade chip now that the Brewers are rebuilding. That same contract, as well as Braun’s age (32) and PED history, could also just as easily limit his trade market unless the Brewers ate some salary in a trade or took on another big contract.
There are any number of reasons why a player could include or omit a team on a no-trade list, though in Braun’s case, geography could be a factor. Braun was born and raised in the Los Angeles suburbs and he went to school at the University of Miami, which could explain why the Angels, Dodgers and Marlins didn’t appear on either no-trade list. The Dodgers and Marlins are rather unlikely trade partners, however, given that both teams are already set for corner outfielders. The Angels have a big vacancy in left field, though they may not be a fit for Braun for a variety of other reasons, as Rosenthal explained yesterday.
Braun’s southern California roots may also explain why he wouldn’t block a trade to the relatively-nearby D’Backs, Padres or Giants. It generally appears as though Braun would prefer to stay in the National League, as the Angels are the only AL team on his current veto list.
If the Brewers worked out a trade that would send Braun to a team on his no-trade list, of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean the former NL MVP would choose to remain in Milwaukee. He could decide to join a contender rather than stick it out through the Brewers’ rebuilding process. Like other players with no-trade protection, Braun could ask for more financial incentive in order to allow a deal to be consummated. Braun’s deal contains a $15MM mutual option for the 2021 season that can be bought out for $4MM, so it’s possible he could ask to have that option year guaranteed to allow a trade to happen, though that would be a tough ask to give him another $11MM in his age-37 season.
Can’t wait for the Dave Stewart overpay!
No respect for Braun after his pathetic attempt to avoid punishment regarding steroids. Trade Braun to the Hiroshima Carps. Braun is a bum.
Even worse punishment: trade him to the Padres?
A least SD has good weather. Ship him to an Alaskan little league to be an announcer.
He’s a penus
Braun’s story is the worst of the PED era. While nearly all lied about their usage and some wagged fingers to underscore their righteousness, he chose to smear an innocent third party an anti-Semite.
Cobra, I totally agree. Braun’s conduct surrounding his steroid use remains despicable and inexcusable. Difficult to rely on a man’s character after such a display.
Nailed it perfectly.
Umm…A-Rod is sorry.
I seriously wonder what a Ryan Braun trade to LAA could possibly consist of. Tropeano for Braun and $50m?
Seems like an impossible fit.
Probably would take more than just Tropeano to get Braun. Braun isn’t worth an insane amount right now, but he’s worth more than that.
50mil is ridiculous and would cause the return to be sky high. He is hitting like an MVP. Honestly the Angels don’t have a single prospect to headline a prospective deal. Their system is a joke.
LAD could need his bat
I think you meant to say ‘except’ and not “besides.” Besides would imply that those teams are also on the no trade list as well.
When “besides” is used as a preposition it can mean “in addition to” or “except for.” Context determines the meaning. In this case, it’s obviously the latter.
It probably doesn’t take a genius to figure out why the Marlins are on the list.
Hint: it starts with B and rhymes with BioGenesis.
Or it has something to do with the initials BB. The new hitting coach for the Marlins.
The Brewers don’t have a need to unload Braun’s contract. Their payroll is already down to $60 million with him. The Brewers farm system is now rated by many in the top 10 in baseball, and they have other trade pieces than Braun too namely Lucroy, but Carter also that should bring back a lot.
Brewers are not at the beginning stages of a 4-5 year rebuild either. The plan is to be competitive by 2018. Braun should still be a very productive player for that year and a few more.
For all his baggage, Braun remains one of the premier hitters in baseball. His numbers suffered for a few years thanks to a since solved thumb problem and a balky back. He’s been raking like the Braun of old this year.
No way do the Angels have enough to get what the Brewers would consider fair value back.
I agree with you, but as a Braves fan we have also heard how soon the FO wants to be competitive. Braun will still hold value in three years, but so does Aaron Judge of NYY and much cheaper. Might be wise to ship his best years to q team with a B prospect for two to three A prospects that will make 2018 even better. Getting someone like Judge will keep you competitive and at a much cheaper price. Plus put your farm from Top 10 to Top 3 or 5.
Just an opinion though.
So basically, he wants to go somewhere warm.
Yasmany Tomas for Ryan Braun… Sounds pretty good