Report: Brewers, Dodgers still in contact over Braun
It appears Ryan Braun can't escape the rumor mill.
The Milwaukee Brewers' 33-year-old outfielder is once again being discussed as a possible trade target of the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources told MLB.com's Jon Morosi.
Braun was nearly traded to the Dodgers last August, before a deal also involving Yasiel Puig reportedly fell through in the final minutes leading into the non-waiver trade deadline. But with the Dodgers apparently seeking a right-handed bat to help against left-handed pitching, his name has once again become a point of interest on the west coast.
Braun has a no-trade clause, but the Dodgers are one of six teams that can acquire him without his permission as part of the terms.
"Last year, (the no-trade clause) was relatively significant, because the trade almost happened and there were conversations about how we would address that," Braun explained, according to Morosi. "Other than that, I don't think it's really going to be much of a factor at all. I have such a great relationship with (Brewers owner) Mark Attanasio, (general manager) David Stearns, and (assistant general manager) Matt Arnold. We're all really on the same page when it comes to my situation.
"Obviously, things can change. Circumstances can change. Who knows where the future takes us? But I don't foresee (the no-trade protection) having much of an impact on anything moving forward, just because of my relationship with Mark, David, and Matt."
The 2011 National League MVP would provide the Dodgers with another threat in their already talented lineup, and immediately improve their chances against lefties.
Over the course of his 11 seasons in the bigs, Braun - who admitted in 2013 to using performance-enhancing drugs during his MVP season - owns a .304/.366/.543 slash line with 287 home runs, 941 RBIs, and 182 stolen bases, and has hit southpaws at a .336/.404/.625 clip.
The outfielder, who's hitting just .214/.313/.429 with two home runs and four RBIs in 28 at-bats, is owed $20 million this season, and is under club control through 2021. He's guaranteed $56 million from 2018-20 and has a mutual option in '21 for $15 million.