Brewers Extend Slugger
The title may be a little misleading. When I saw similar headlines, I assumed that Milwaukee had come to an agreement with first baseman Prince Fielder. However, it was another power hitting Brewer that got paid Thursday. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee's stud left fielder, has reached an agreement on an extension with the team.
At only 27 years old, this is already Braun's 2nd multi-million dollar deal. After being on the team for a year, the Brewers agreed to an 8 year $45 million contract extension that kept Braun with the club through 2015. This new extension is for $105 million and keeps Braun with the Brew Crew through 2020. Starting in 2016, Braun will earn $21 million a year. This is currently the second largest per year average contract ever given to an outfielder, behind only Manny Ramirez's $22.5 million.
Though these are ridiculous numbers, if there was a hitter to warrant such a contract it is Braun. He has a lifetime average of .308 and his career OPS is .924. Since coming up in 2007 Braun has averaged 32 homeruns and 105 RBIs a year. Braun hits his share of doubles and has stolen at least 14 bases every year since breaking into the league. The three time all star was the 2007 Rookie of the Year and has won 3 Silver Slugger awards. He made it as high as 3rd overall in the MVP voting in 2008, and has started out this season as hot as ever, hitting .359 with 5 homeruns and 12 RBIs.
Braun's extension pretty much closes the door on any chance Prince Fielder will be a Brewer after this season. Fielder, who becomes a free agent after this year, did not appear to be in the Brewer's long term plans as his price tag and weight have continued to climb. The slugger is poised to be either a hot commodity at the trade deadline or on next year's free agent market.
I really like the move by the Brewers. With their off season additions and the pending free agency of Fielder, it seemed Milwaukee was going all in for this season. The Braun extension shows that the Brewers are willing to spend on talent and are looking beyond just the 2011 season.
Braun has set himself up nicely through his 37th birthday
At only 27 years old, this is already Braun's 2nd multi-million dollar deal. After being on the team for a year, the Brewers agreed to an 8 year $45 million contract extension that kept Braun with the club through 2015. This new extension is for $105 million and keeps Braun with the Brew Crew through 2020. Starting in 2016, Braun will earn $21 million a year. This is currently the second largest per year average contract ever given to an outfielder, behind only Manny Ramirez's $22.5 million.
Though these are ridiculous numbers, if there was a hitter to warrant such a contract it is Braun. He has a lifetime average of .308 and his career OPS is .924. Since coming up in 2007 Braun has averaged 32 homeruns and 105 RBIs a year. Braun hits his share of doubles and has stolen at least 14 bases every year since breaking into the league. The three time all star was the 2007 Rookie of the Year and has won 3 Silver Slugger awards. He made it as high as 3rd overall in the MVP voting in 2008, and has started out this season as hot as ever, hitting .359 with 5 homeruns and 12 RBIs.
Braun's extension pretty much closes the door on any chance Prince Fielder will be a Brewer after this season. Fielder, who becomes a free agent after this year, did not appear to be in the Brewer's long term plans as his price tag and weight have continued to climb. The slugger is poised to be either a hot commodity at the trade deadline or on next year's free agent market.
I really like the move by the Brewers. With their off season additions and the pending free agency of Fielder, it seemed Milwaukee was going all in for this season. The Braun extension shows that the Brewers are willing to spend on talent and are looking beyond just the 2011 season.
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