MLB exec: Braun hard to trade for because of PED history

It's been more than three years since Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun admitted to - and was suspended for - using performance-enhancing drugs, yet the ghosts of his past continue to hover over him.

The 33-year-old winner of the 2011 National League MVP has constantly been mentioned as a trade target during the offseason, and was nearly traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last August before a deal fizzled out at the non-waiver deadline, but he still remains a member of the Brewers despite the team rebuilding.

One MLB executive believes it's Braun's link to PEDs, on top of a pricey contract, that continue to make teams hesitant about acquiring his services.

"When a guy with that contract has been busted once, it’s hard to commit those dollars and those player resources because if he gets busted again, you lose all of your guys and you lose Braun. Nobody is saying he’d do it again, but while he’s a very good impact player, it’s just a tough one," the executive told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

After missing the majority of the 2013 season because of the suspension, Braun has increased his productivity every year since, most recently hitting 30 home runs, driving in 91, and posting a .305/.365/.538 slash line last season.

Over the course of his career, the six-time All-Star has homered 285 times, driven in 937 runs, owns a .910 OPS, and has been worth 38.7 WAR.

He is owed $76 million through 2020, and has a $15-million mutual option for the 2021 season.