Braun Reportedly Agrees to 7-year Extension

by stigmo on May 15, 2008 8:41 AM CDT

UPDATE: Fox Sports has confirmed: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8141962/Brewers-give-young-star-Braun-long-term-deal

ESPN Radio here in Madison just reported that Ryan Braun has agreed to a 7-year extension. No news from the media yet. All I could find was this vague link from brewers.com reporting a major press conference. I'm sure updates will be posted when available. No word yet on money...

This certainly would be a huge move. It will also be interesting to see how it affects negotiations with Sheets, Fielder, Hart, etc.

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I think with Braun's recent power surge

And bringing his BA from about .250 to about .290, gave the team confidence that he is the real deal, and now has had about a full season in the majors, his numbers are looking incredible.

I hope the money doesn’t take the desire out of Braun, living as a relatively poor MLB player, I feel he would have to have consistently great years in order to guarantee he would get a lot of money in arbitration and a contract the years following, his urgency might not be there anymore. This is just speculation, and all players respond differently. I just don’t ever want the during the game the stats of Braun to show before extension and after the extension, with after the extension being putrid.

I am excited though, as he is now officially the face of the Brewers in my opinion.

The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.

by Kyguy922 on May 15, 2008 9:44 AM CDT 0 recs

In my opinion...

I would rather sign Braun than Prince, so needless to say, I am very happy.

It’s also nice to see Attanasio fork over some money.

I wonder if the 7 years includes this year?

by brewfan2 on May 15, 2008 10:06 AM CDT 0 recs

Hopefully Hart is next

I would like to see the Suds City boys lock up Corey next. I will be interesting to see Prince’s response to all of this particularily in light of his comments early in the season regarding his current pay scale and feeling unappreciated.

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on May 15, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs

That's the best part

I’m sure the Brewers would love to offer Prince a similar deal. It puts the onus of “why is Prince not getting paid” back onto Prince.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on May 15, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Absolutely agree

Nothing says “pay me what I am worth” as going out and proving it at the plate and on the field. I think we would all love to see that REAL SOON!

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on May 15, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

JS online reports

An additional 7 years for $45 million. So he is bought out for 2 arbitration years. Those numbers sound great to me.

by brewfan2 on May 15, 2008 10:10 AM CDT 0 recs

it's technically an 8 yr deal

since the brewers are including this year. this will buy out his first 2 years of free agency.
link: http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2008/05/15/brewers-calling-it-an-8-year-deal.aspx

"If there is a more reactionary blog with idiotic commentary out there I'd be surprised." -On Bleed Cubbie Blue

by Michael M on May 15, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

Banner day

We lock up the Hebrew Hammer and the Cubs sign Edmonds, with a win later this afternoon the day will almost be perfect!

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on May 15, 2008 10:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Jim Edmonds nothing but helps the cubs

If he stinks, they just cut him.

by brewfan2 on May 15, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

I disagree

and I don’t think we will have to wait too long to see which one of us is right on this one.

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on May 15, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Please explain your point?

He is right if Edmonds is great its a cherry on top if he sucks they cut him? How do explain we arent going to have to ‘wait too long’ to see who is right? You will both be right.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 15, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

the question that really needs to be answered

when discussing whether or not edmonds helps the cubs, is does your butt clench when he is running the bases?

I don’t think pie is who the cubs/fans thought he would be, so i don’t see the major drop off in defense to be that big of an issue. Either this is the cubs acknowledging that, or, they’ve messed up royally by not trying to integrate him into the long term plans of the franchise. We’ll see, the worst thing the cubs can do is watch him have success in the minors, bring him back up, and quit on him very quickly, again, for the third time. that’d be terrible.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on May 15, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hes 23

He has had success in the minors, Im not worried about Pie becoming a star—-because Im sure he will be an OK major leaguer and tremondous defensively for many years

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 15, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

the problem is the strikeouts

they don’t mean anything at the ML level, but in AAA, where pie has a k/ab of 21%, that’s a big deal. that’s a higher k rate than corey patterson at AAA. real prospects don’t strikeout that much in the minors.

he’s going to have to learn to make contact at the ML level, or the cubs need to quit on him permanently. this back and forth thing hurts both him and the organization.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on May 15, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

but despite those Ks he had an average over .300 and an onbase over 360.

With his D I would take a 250/330 for a few years until he figures it out.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 15, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

if its the brewers

i’d agree with you, the brewers need to give the cheap players a chance to make it, a longer chance than other clubs. but i think the cubs should trade pie, if they still can, he needs a lot of ABs at the major leagues to get it going. I’d guess two full seasons. A team like the orioles can afford to do that, the cubs do not need to make that sacrifice. they can throw 20 million a year at manny ramirez, or on the off chance crawford’s option doesn’t get picked up him, or adam dunn and move soriano to center. they can pay for the big offense, and take the lumps on defense.

with pie they are sort of screwing up the business model. develop players, trade them for the aramis ramirez’s, derrek lees of the world and dish out the big bucks. with the gigantic payroll advantage in the Central, there is no excuse for this club not to be a perennial contender.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on May 15, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Or

The Cubs could stick in CF everyday behind what is currently the best offense in baseball where is inability to hit at the moment will be lost in all the other runs being scored.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 15, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

yep.

that really does make sense to me. why sacrifice defense for offense now? that offense is super-potent, doesn’t need much help.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on May 15, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well that takes the edge of last night.

I think they prioritized correctly in signing Braun first too. I’d love to see Prince sign, but I doubt it’ll happen. If he won’t budge, then move on to Hart. But you have to try to sign Prince first.

Doug, please fire Ned.

Love,
Everyone.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 15, 2008 10:48 AM CDT 0 recs

i rather

see them not resign fielder and go after hart. laporta could step into first anyways, and i worry about fielder breaking down over the deal.

"If there is a more reactionary blog with idiotic commentary out there I'd be surprised." -On Bleed Cubbie Blue

by Michael M on May 15, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

and also...

you can still shift Braun down the defensive spectrum (i.e. to first base) if it becomes necessary later on, while with Prince it’s either first base or bust.

Just like everybody else here, I’m very happy with the news. :)

by Zeyes on May 15, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think you need to try to resign Fielder...

but I don’t think he’s worth more than Braun. If he’ll accept a similar deal, great. If not, there’s always LaPorta or Gamel at first.

by warwick5s on May 15, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Look at the numbers

If Fielder signs a deal comparable to Braun’s, he would be the easiest trade in the world if his defense gets worse. How many teams in the AL would trade for a DH that can put up Big Papi numbers at 6-7 million per season. At that price even the Twins and Royals are in the conversation. Even at 10 million per year, he could be moved to at least half the AL for the production he will give. There is really little risk to buying out Prince’s first few years of free agency.

by Getting Yosted on May 15, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Prince won't sign a contract like this

He, or his agent, already talked about Ryan Howard comparisons. Ryan Howard is making 10 million this year alone in his first year of arbitration. So, Prince is thinking along those lines as well. To sign Prince, they have to really put up a lot of money.

by brewfan2 on May 15, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

and there's the key to fielder

It doesn’t make economic sense for the Brewers to put so much money in one player, especially one who is likely to get bigger and slower as he gets older. Milk him through a couple arbitration years, max.

I like Prince, just not in the NL.

by Marty McSuperFly on May 15, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up 0 recs

i'm a stat guys first.

but i’d put up with a not so kind aging pattern, and shaky first base defense to keep his leadership in the clubhouse.

sign fielder!

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on May 15, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

And to buy out his first two years of FA

would make it a 5 year deal. If he were to sign 5 yr, 50-55 million that’s still very affordable. In two years if his defense is degrading and he needs to be a DH he can still be traded, 10-12 mil/yr will be a steal in that Prince will entering his peak offensive production and salaries aren’t going to deflate. Like I said, at least half of the AL will be willing to take on that salary. If his defense does improve to the point where he is an average 1B, then he will be worth far more than he will be paid. The only downside is the opportunity costs of who the Brewers won’t be able to sign by tying that money up in Prince.

by Getting Yosted on May 15, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

I love that we got Braun locked up

now I’d love to see us look around to add that top of the rotation starter that Mark A said we can afford. Probably can’t add anybody just yet but hearing that we are able to add somebody big is nice. Maybe bring in someone who can take Sheets spot for next year too. This year Sheets and (fill in the blank) and next year Gallardo and (fill in the blank) as our top starters would look nice. As long as Suppan stays in the 3 or 4 spot I’m happy

Can't pitch Gagne in rain. He’s like the B-2 bomber of baseball.--TheJay

by verno329 on May 15, 2008 11:56 AM CDT 0 recs

Locked up into early 30s

When thinking about the length of Braun’s contract, it is also great to realize that we will have him through the years that should be his best.

He’s 24 now, plus 8 years , makes him about 32 (maybe 31 or 33, depending on the date of his birthday) when he hits free agency for the first time. At that point, we might lose him like the Twins lost Hunter, but he will be reaching the point where is numbers will probably plateau or even start to decline. This contract looks great!

As stated by someone else, he is now the face of the Brewers.

by Oakland Brewer Fan on May 15, 2008 3:00 PM CDT 0 recs

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on May 15, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Actually Ill bet

With the amount of that contract if he is decent/great still in about 5-6 years he will be great trade bait because of the manageable small contract, therefore netting a lot in return.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 15, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

trade.

no trade clause

Braun’s contract also has a full no-trade clause for four years, a limited clause (12 teams), the next two years and a further limited clause (six teams) the final two years.

this is really something of a coup for milwaukee. the attanasio years have been a remarkble change from the wendy selig-prieb years that plagued us for too long. for a player and a small market team like the brewers to agree to share the control over the tradeability of the contract is phenomenal. it says quite a bit about milwaukee’s commitment to braun but also braun’s commitment to milwaukee.

good contracts are always good, both from the trade aspect and the simple paying the player aspect. often, a team will end up paying as much as they overpaid just to get rid of a contract near its conclusion.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on May 15, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

"good contracts are always good"

Really good? I mean, really, really good? :)

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on May 15, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Next up

"You guys know me. I take a long time to analyze things."
- Ned Yost

by SunglassesAtNight on May 15, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

One of the hottest

young hitters in the game wanted a no trade clause with THE BREWERS!

by Braunstalker on May 15, 2008 3:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Good times!

by molitorfan on May 15, 2008 7:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Don't get cocky, kid

That only means Braun has to approve a trade. If Milwaukee goes into the tank in three years, Braun can still get out. It just gives him control over where he goes, so he doesn’t get shipped to the Royals or worse.

by Getting Yosted on May 15, 2008 7:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

let us enjoy this for one day!

by molitorfan on May 15, 2008 7:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

and really, it's just a standard perk

people with no-trades get traded all the time, they just get a bonus (in the form of an extension or a guaranteed incentive clause or whatever) when it happens.

really, it’s a cheap “throw in” for a player to get a benefit without the team giving up too much. An alternative to a couple more million bucks.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on May 15, 2008 8:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

You can get one automatically, too

Not that it applies to any of the current Brewers, but if you’ve got ten or more years of service time and spent the last five seasons with the same team you can veto any trade. Paul Konerko and Ken Griffey, Jr., come to mind, among others. If the Brewers had picked up Geoff Jenkins’ 2008 option, he would’ve qualified in June.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on May 15, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

standard perk?

only two players in the NBA have one. kobe bryant & deavon george

"You guys know me. I take a long time to analyze things."
- Ned Yost

by SunglassesAtNight on May 15, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

bah, I know. Let me pretend, just for a moment.

by Braunstalker on May 16, 2008 1:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

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