Last season the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers reportedly discussed a potential trade centered around Ryan Braun, with talks said to have led up to the non-waiver deadline. There were more rumblings of a possible deal last August once Braun cleared waivers.
But the six-time All-Star remained with the Brewers, and although there was a sense Braun would get traded during the offseason, there was little to suggest any traction was gained on that front. There nonetheless remains an expectation the Brewers will look to move one of the franchise’s former cornerstones.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, some level of trade talks for Braun have persisted between the Dodgers and Brewers:
The Dodgers and Brewers have remained in contact about a possible trade involving Ryan Braun, sources say, and it is not difficult to see why.
In March, it was reported Braun kept the Dodgers on his list of six teams approved for trade. On May 24, the 33-year-old will obtain a full no-trade clause as a player with 10-and-5 rights. The non-waiver trade deadline this season is Monday, July 31.
Entering play on Thursday, Braun is batting .214/.313/.429 with two home runs and four RBI in eight games. He finished last year hitting .305/.365/.538 with 23 doubles, 30 home runs, 90 RBI and a 136 OPS+.
The Dodgers’ reported interest in Braun is connected to their struggles since last season against left-handed pitching. They ranked last in the Majors in 2016 batting average (.213), on-base plus slugging percentage (.622), wOBA (.275) and wRC+ (72).
Braun is owed $72 million through the 2020 season.
