Outfielder Ryan Braun will gain 10-and-5 rights next Sunday, theoretically making it more difficult for the Brewers to trade him. That doesn’t matter to either Braun or Brewers general manager David Stearns, both of whom told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the six-time All-Star’s forthcoming 10-and-5 status is irrelevant. As Braun noted in his discussion with Haudricourt, he already has a no-trade clause that can prevent him from vetoing a deal to all but six teams – most of which are conveniently based in his home state of California. “There’s only a couple of teams that would be any possibility now, and there’s only a couple of teams that would be any possibility after, so it’s not going to really change anything,” said Braun. “I don’t think it will play much of a role or have any significance.” If the Brewers do shop the 33-year-old Braun, they’re not going to eat a significant portion of the ~$75MM remaining on a contract that runs through 2020 (there’s a $4MM buyout for 2021) or deal him without receiving quality prospects, per Haudricourt, whose piece contains more quotes from Braun and is worth a full read.
More from the National League:
- Suspended Mets right-hander Matt Harvey is facing a career crossroads, opines Buster Olney of ESPN. Harvey’s days as a dominant starter are likely over, posits Olney, though he contends that the 28-year-old still has time to turn back into a reliable option. Aside from improving on the mound, Harvey will have to restore a reputation that’s at an all-time low among rival evaluators, according to Olney. There are questions about the hurler’s conditioning and dedication, which, along with his on-field struggles, are red flags as his first foray into free agency nears. Harvey is scheduled to hit the open market after the 2018 season, but he could end up in a different uniform as early as this year if the Mets are out of contention around the deadline and elect to cut ties with the erstwhile ace via trade, Olney writes.
- Marlins third baseman Martin Prado missed a sizable portion of April with a right hamstring strain, and he left the team’s game Sunday with a similar issue. As a result, Marlins manager Don Mattingly expects Prado to head back to the disabled list, tweets Tim Healey of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. What’s more, another of the Marlins’ third base choices, Miguel Rojas, suffered a right thumb injury Sunday and could also require a DL stint. Fortunately for the Fish, they have another capable hot corner option in Derek Dietrich, though he has started slowly this year (.224/.348/.293 in 69 plate appearances).
- Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, on the DL since April 26 with a right groin strain, could rejoin the team as early as Tuesday, relays John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Crawford will play a Double-A rehab game Monday, and if he gets through it unscathed, his first career DL stint will end.
- The Mets are debating whether to put shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on the DL, manager Terry Collins told reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, on Sunday (Twitter link). Cabrera “jammed up” his left thumb Saturday, per Collins, but an MRI taken Sunday didn’t reveal any ligament damage, GM Sandy Alderson told MLB Network Radio (via DiComo). Given that Cabrera’s unlikely to miss a lot of time, the Mets won’t use his injury to promote top prospect Amed Rosario, a source informed DiComo.
Harvey the Invisible Rabbit’s namesake may soon become invisible himself — at an empty locker in Citi Field.
I was difficult to see Braun going anywhere but the Dodgers before he gained 10-and-5 rights and difficult to imagine him going anywhere now since the Dodgers can’t be very interested in taking on the out-years of his contract. Where else, on the teams were he’d approve a trade, would he fit?
He would have made perfect sense for the Giants unless they’re punting the season after their terrible start. I suppose the Nationals might be a fit for Braun but I doubt they want to pay off that salary either.
yeah I think the best option for the giants right now is to just dump the season, trade or give away the pieces that aren’t working, keep the ones that are and do a combo of shrinking the payroll enough to lower the luxury tax and rebuild the farm a little after emptying it last season- not to take on a big contract of an aging veteran
Yeah, San Francisco will finally be rid of most of Matt Cain’s disaster contract after this season and Cueto will almost certainly opt out of his, and they can buy out Matt Moore. The only really bad contracts they’ll have left are Shark and Pence, who are both probably untradeable. So without much tradeable assets it might be a long rebuild in San Francisco. Biut they’ll shed some relief from the 180+ million dollars they’re paying out this season.
This situation seems all to familiar being a Phillies fan. When the window closes it closes hard. Time for them to rebuild.
The Giants would have made sense before they tanked. Still early yet and they may recover before the non-waiver deadline and possibly be interested. A long shot. By July the Dodgers could be interested if some things go wrong. I discounted the Nationals because they were presumably on Braun’s no-trade list before so I assume with 10-5 rights he’d stay put for now, rather than go to Washington for the duration of his career.
Maybe something could be worked out with the Red Sox after this weeks series in Milwaukee. Perhaps a three team trade that could move Braun, Sandoval and a good fielding 3 B to the Sox.
Red Sox gave fat boy the huge contract…live with it. Brewers rewarded the cheater…live with it!
The Brewers signed Braun to both extensions 6 months and 4 years prior to a whisper of cheating, so they didn’t “reward” his cheating.
And the fact that Braun is still performing at an extremely high level means his contract is hardly a burden that they have to just “live with.” They’re pretty much paying market value (and possibly better considering other contracts being handed out).
Braun is owed roughly $95. —Sandoval is owed about $70.
Perhaps the 2 teams could expand the trade: Brewers could include Shaw or Dubon in return for perhaps a minor league reliever or starter or Brock Holt who might be more valuable in the NL with his versatility.
Seems about right; perhaps the Brewers could throw in Eric Thames too and get Mitch Moreland back.