Ryan Braun
The case of Braun may be the most interesting of any player that could be on the block at the trade deadline this year. The former NL MVP is having a monster first half to 2016, but has a contract that could scare potential trade partners away.
Braun is 32 years old and is signed through 2020 with a mutual option for 2021. After this season, he will still be owed some $76 million ($91 million if the option is exercised), which is a pretty big chunk of change for another team to absorb. There will likely be fewer suitors for his services than Lucroy’s as a result.
But the stats don’t lie, and Braun is still ridiculously productive. Thus far in 2016 he is slashing .337/.406/.552 with nine homers, 33 RBIs, and a 1.8 bWAR, which comes on the heels of a 2015 campaign that saw him put up a .285/.356/.498 slash line with 25 home runs and 84 RBIs. The guy still gets it done at the plate, and that could be very valuable to a contending club.
Next: Atlanta Braves Trade Deadline Preview
The contract, though, not to mention the PED accusations he has endured, may detract from his trade value. It’s also certainly plausible that Milwaukee chooses not to trade the face of their franchise. But with the rumor mill already swirling and several teams reportedly interested, if Stearns can find a blockbuster package for Braun, it may be worth it for the Brew Crew to get out from under his contract and run full speed ahead into their rebuild.