Outfielder Ryan Braun has been the subject of trade rumors going back to last summer, in which he was connected to the Dodgers in a deal that might have included Yasiel Puig. Nonetheless, it’s now late January, and he remains with the Brewers. That doesn’t surprise owner Mark Attanasio, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “No, I’m not surprised,” Attanasio says. “I think there was a lot of momentum [toward a trade] last summer, given the challenges the Dodgers had in hitting left-handed pitching and how strong a season he was having. … But after it didn’t happen, I actually thought if it wasn’t going to happen then, it wasn’t going to happen. We’re delighted he’s back.” Though Braun remains under contract through 2020 with a mutual option for 2021, it wouldn’t be surprising, in my view, if he reemerged as a trade candidate in the future as the Brewers continue their rebuild. McCalvy notes that the Brewers plan to be generous with time for young players this season. “It is essential that we do this rebuild correctly, and I think if we get too hung up on wins and losses, we’re maybe not doing it [right],” Attanasio says. Here’s more from the NL.
- Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett will try his hand at multiple positions, including the outfield, in Spring Training, according to manager Craig Counsell (Twitter link via McCalvy). Excluding pinch-hit appearances and one inning in the outfield, Gennett has come close to playing his entire career at second (396 games there, one as a designated hitter). However, Jonathan Villar is moving from the left side of the infield to the keystone, thereby relegating Gennett to a bench/utility role. He’ll also have a hard time garnering playing time in the outfield, though, as Braun, Domingo Santana and Keon Broxton are firmly entrenched as starters.
- The Reds haven’t been able to trade Brandon Phillips or Zack Cozart and thus still have a logjam at middle infield, where they also have youngsters Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera. The Reds say that they aren’t worried about Peraza’s playing time, however, according to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. Peraza’s ability to play second, shortstop and outfield will help the team keep him on the field. “Going into the season with Brandon, Cozart, [Adam] Duvall, [Billy] Hamilton — those are our guys going into the season who will take the lion’s share of the playing time at those positions,” says manager Bryan Price. “That being said, Peraza is going to play. How I get him in there has yet to be seen, but he’ll get in there. It may just have to be rotation through different spots until an everyday spot comes to light.” Herrera, who only plays second base, is trickier, and Price says the plan will be for him to play at Triple-A if he can’t play second regularly in the big leagues. GM Dick Williams says, meanwhile, that the team’s ongoing situation with Phillips (who has repeatedly used his no-trade clause to reject potential trades, including one in November to the Braves) is “hard to predict” going forward.
- Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall expressed regret Sunday over the team’s previous front office alignment, telling MLB Network Radio: “We probably had too many cooks in the kitchen. If we had to do it over again, we probably wouldn’t have done it that way.” Tony La Russa, Dave Stewart and De Jon Watson were the most prominent members of the Diamondbacks’ baseball department from 2014-16. Only La Russa remains now, and Stewart’s replacement – new general manager Mike Hazen – had a hand in keeping him. “It was another skill set Mike Hazen thought he needed around him,” Hall said of La Russa, whom he called a “team player” (Twitter links).
dhud
Re: the Reds and Phillips
It’s not hard to predict if you cut him
davbee
It’s also not hard to predict the Reds would still owe him his entire contract.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I don’t think one year is going to destroy the franchise. They’d have to eat almost all of the 14M anyway to try and trade him. He’s not going to waive his 10-5. He’s in essence playing for free agency so probably is not going to be happy with a drastic cut in pt. If Herrera is ready you have to move on at some point. I can see them holding Cozart, because he has real value. Phillips at some point is just a sunk cost.
davidcoonce74
I would guess if Phillips is just benched – as he should be because he’s not really any good anymore – he’d be more likely to go to any team that would take him. I don’t see any teams in need of a below-average 2B however.
T206
I’m looking for a big year out of BP, with it being a contract year and all! I, an actual Reds fan, would much rather watch another season in the sun with BP patrolling second base and continuing to be the fan favorite that he is than watch him split his time with a 21 year old that still has much to prove in being able to take over the reigns at 2B. Go Reds!
gocincy
BP is the type of guy who plays differently in his contact year. That’s a guess, of course. He surely can see that he needs to perform well if he wants to play longer in MLB as a starter. He has a lot of pride, so he thinks he can.
gocincy
The reds need to understand the concept of sunk costs. No matter what BP does, they’re on the hook for his salary. His salary should have zero impact on his playing time, etc. If they let his salary guide any of their decisions, then they need a remedial course in Finance.
bigkempin
It’s also not hard to predict that the GM will be fired if he cuts Phillips….fresh off of a .291/.320/.416, 11/64/14 season just to free up playing time. I’m sure CIN would love to pay Phillips $14M to play elsewhere…..
jdgoat
That’s below average though when you park adjust it. I agree he shouldn’t be straight up cut, but they are going to have to take on millions if they want him gone
chesteraarthur
Really? I doubt a gm is gonna get fired for something like that. He’s a below average player who is taking away playing time from a player that is far more important to their future than phillips is. i guess it depends a lot on how phillips acts if he’s benched/moved to a utility role with that team.
I think you’d probably need the owner to sign off on eating the contract, but it’s not totally crazy to just cut bait with the guy if he’s gonna be a distraction and take reps from younger guys.
curl16
It’s a young mans game today cut the ties and shoot for the future
jonnymo
Concur. And one more reason: GM Dick Williams is the son of minority owner (and board chairman) Joe Williams.
davidcoonce74
His defense has cratered over the last two seasons though.
djtommyaces
Except vs the Cubs. Dude plays phenomenal defense when we meet
jonnymo
David: is your assessment based on fielding WAR, or have you watched him?
Get in the Hawper
Braun’s play on the field is very consistent in regards to offense, defense and base running. His salary is fair for the kind of production he brings. The real bug a boo is the threat of another failed PED test followed by a season long suspension. It’s holding the front offices hostage.
afsooner02
Barring a major disappointment in the first half of the season, I am guessing he is gone by all star break if the Brewers aren’t contending in 2017 (and I’m not expecting them to be). Don’t think it’ll be puig either. Don’t think counsell wants to deal with his antics that his performance doesn’t match. (Meaning if your manny Ramirez you can be manny….puig isn’t manny)
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
The only issue being Braun’s 10-5 kick so now the Brewers would be extremely handcuffed.
Phattey
Puig in Milwaukee would be lit
baseballdeez
It’s been over 5yrs since his only failed test. Teams aren’t concerned about the consequences from a 2nd failed test. More than enough time has passed and he’s clearly showed he’s matured and become a better teammate and clubhouse presence. The biggest issue to date is his list of teams on his no-trade clause (there’s like 25 teams on it). I think he gets traded at some point between now and the 2018 break
duhtruth
I still think he goes to the dodgers for puig+pieces.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Unless they pay down a large chunk of Braun’s contract it would be the other way around. The Brewers would have to throw in prospects to make Braun for Puig work.
Theresabrewing
Jesus Christ, not this again. You came up with bs last August. Don’t throw that in our faces again! Have you ever heard of what the pentameters of the trade were. You obviously just ignore it, making your own evidence up.
Theresabrewing
Parameters*
duhtruth
dodgers were going to take the whole Braun context for puig McCarthy and a prospect
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Not bs. Braun has negative trade value, Puig does not. Otherwise Braun would have been claimed and Puig wouldn’t have.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
No they weren’t. If they were willing to give up all that to take Braun’s entire contract they would have claimed him when he was put on waivers.
ib6ub9
moron
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Lol I already schooled you in this debate back in September and I’ll do it again now
baseballdeez
It was Braun for Puig, McCarthy + 2 prospects with 1 of them being agreed upon. That’s what was reported. There was never any mention of Braun’s contract being an issue (ie Brewers need to send money and/or prospects). What in the world are you talking about. Braun is negative value? He’s performed like an AS for 8 of his 10yrs (1 of those non-years being when he was injured then suspended and the following year he played with nerve damage in his thumb all season, which required surgery afterwards). Puig’s past 2yrs have been worse than anything Braun has ever put up, including the injury/suspension years.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
It’s simple. The Brewers claimed Puig on waivers last August, meaning they were willing to take him and his contract for nothing in return. The Dodgers did not claim Braun on waivers last August, meaning they were not willing to take him and his contract for nothing in return. With that in mind, why would they want to trade Puig and two prospects for him unless the Brewers paid a large chunk of his contract? If Braun’s contract truly wasn’t an issue, the Dodgers would have simply claimed him.
ib6ub9
Your right and everyone on this site is wrong. Dumb ass
rodebaugh24
I admire you’re drive. You continue to bring up ridiculous points for months. Your theory is flawed. We already know what the Dodgers were willing to give up it was Puig for Braun. It wasn’t Braun for Puig. Which we have been telling you for months now. I find it unbelievable that we have proof that debunks your idea and yet you keep coming up with the same garbage. It’s like you read that theory on like a Dodgers bleacher report article and keep using it because you can’t come up with anything else/original to say…
rodebaugh24
Apparently plus signs don’t work so it’s supposed to be puig plus extras for Braun and not Braun plus extras for puig.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
You’re*
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
1. Your*
2. You haven’t debunked jack
3. Being condescending didn’t help your argument back in September and it doesn’t help now
4. I find it hard to believe that the Dodgers would offer all that for a player they weren’t interested in claiming on waivers (which means they don’t regard Ryan Braun and his contract as a positive value piece like the Brewers regard Puig and his contract) unless the Brewers were eating a good chunk of Braun’s contract.
ib6ub9
Death cure stupid!
ib6ub9
Can’t cure stupid!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
As you have clearly demonstrated
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I don’t think the Dodgers touch that contract with a 10 foot pole especially if Cain and Martinez are available.
douglasb
The Dodgers cannot afford $76M over 4 years with a $15M option year or $4M buyout?
That’s less than they are paying Gonzalez. The production is about the same.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I never said they couldn’t afford it, but it’s pretty clear after they reupped their big three that they had the two year plan. They were going to be ready for 18 FA while being under the threshold using their excess money to lock up what they had. Especially seeing as they have Bellinger and Verdugo knocking at the door. The boat on guys like Braun and Grienke has sailed after they went on their shopping spree. In fact it’s most likely to carry over next offseason. I’m not expecting any splash moves. Plus Braun doesn’t really fit the team currently constructed except for the fact he can mash. Cain would be a way better fit.
reflect
Is Braun’s steroid supplier wiling to relocate to Los Angeles??
mikeyst13
Are you serious? It’s gotta be at least 1,000 times easier to find steroids in LA than it is in Milwaukee…..
chesteraarthur
It really sucks for the dbacks and their fans that stewart and TLR were allowed to do what they did to that franchise before someone stepped in.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
They effectively ruined an intriguing young core. That would have been an extremely dangerous core especially with Swanson and Inciarte. Seeing as though they could have locked up Inciarte for cheap it makes you think. I understand the thinking though having Peralta and Tomas. Although you do have to acknowledge that the Segura trade was definitely a good move. Hindsight being 20/20: having Inciarte to ply cf and Swanson to emerge as their SS offensively they are a damn good team and def they are still tremendous. Oh boy the Dodgers, Giants, and Rockies are probably breathing a sigh of relief.
chesteraarthur
It’s not even just the trades. He blew the entire international budget on a prospect that no one thought was worth that much, Then had to trade touki to get rid of arroyo because of the cost for going over the international budget.Can’t remember exactly, but I think there was something with Tomas too, where they either paid more than people thought or didn’t realize he couldn’t play 3b or something. one year they didnt use their whole draft budget. Signing greinke was probably stupid for a team with that kind of budget.
So yeah, trading for Shelby Miller was an obvious disaster, but they showed incompetence at being a front office in more ways than just that one. Really have to wonder how much they set that team back.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I was focusing more on the immediate impact. But yes, not knowing Lopez blew the entire international pool was elementary. Also allocating 25% of payroll was also a pretty bad decision. It’s going to be interesting to see what comes with Tomas. He’s a DH/1b with big money approaching in a market that’s not too favorable. Even as a Dodgers fan though I hope they are able to lock up Pollock and Goldy. But to look bad and wonder what could have been must be difficult.
buzdon
Yes it does. But Hazen has already gotten rid of Welington Castillo, Peter O’Brien, Jean Segura, Tuffy Gosewiztch, Daniel Hudson, and several more productive or potentially productive players and is loading up with a bunch of .200 hitters under the flag of “improving team defense.” At some point, upper management is going to have to take a really close look at who is hiring these General Managers (Kevin Towers, Dave Stewart, and now Mike Hazen). each of whom has played a role in destroying what could have been a really good team. And while they are looking at their track records, they also need to consider what has happened to Matt Williams and Mark Grace under the watch of the new guy. Sadly, after almost 20 years of pulling for the D-Backs, the money that I used to spend on D-Backs tickets, this year in part will be going to MLB-TV and a road trip or two so I can see some real baseball.
davidcoonce74
Interesting list. O’Brien can’t field. Gosewich can’t hit. Segura was traded for really useful future pieces. Hudson is just a generic bullpen arm. Castillo was going to get expensive and he’s a lousy catcher.
spudchukar
When did the second base position garner the “keystone” moniker?
davidcoonce74
Like, in the 1800s.
jleve618
I was wondering that too, all of a sudden it seems like everyone is using it. Why is second base called the keystone over shortstop? I’ll have to sleep on this one.
kla1214
Second base is the “keystone sack” (base), second baseman and shortstop are the keystone positions, or the “keystone combination”. Been this way since the early years of baseball.
ckeen1966
If Bryan Price is smart Peraza starts in RF but plays a Ben Zobrist type role, he can play all three OF positions and 2b & SS. He probably could play some at 3b as well if they put him there in spring training. One more year of BP isn’t going to kill the rebuild. BP may have lost a half step but still a good defensive 2b.