Brewers Have “No Intentions” of Trading Ryan Braun

With the trade winds blowing here in the baseball offseason, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin addressed rumors out of New York regarding a possible trade involving talented but PED tainted left fielder Ryan Braun and the New York Mets.  “We have no intentions of trading Ryan” Melvin said, though he mentioned that “four or five” clubs had put out some feelers to check on Braun’s availability.

It’s interesting that despite the outrage expressed at Braun’s lying about his use of performance enhancing drugs, and his suspension last season, some clubs are still interested in radioactive Ryan. The Brewers are in a dilemma; he’s owed well over $100 million over the next several years, and the club can’t just terminate his contract. He’ll be a distraction next season in every ball park. He’s also got fences to mend with his teammates, whom he lied to. He will also have to answer questions from the media, something he should really do this off-season so it’s not a distraction in spring training.  One way to deal with all this would be to trade him and let some other club deal with the mess.

On the other hand, Braun is one of the superstars in the game today.  The clubs inquiring about him probably are doing so hoping they can pick up a great player at fire sale prices.  The New York rumor involved a deal for Mets first baseman Ike Davis.  That’s a non starter.  However, if someone stepped forward with a proposal like the recent Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder deal that Texas and Detroit engineered, we’re betting Melvin and the Brewers will look at it seriously.  Despite the denials, we think Braun is available for the right offer.