Milwaukee Brewers considering moving Ryan Braun to first

The Milwaukee Brewers latest moves have led to quite the crowded outfield. Their solution may simply create another logjam.

As it was, the Milwaukee Brewers had a bit of a crowded infield heading into 2018. Brett Phillips and Lewis Brinson were knocking on the door, while Domingo Santana and Keon Broxton was set in the lineup. Ryan Braun was not going anywhere, having achieved his 10-5 rights last year. Eric Thames can be added to that group, as he played 29 games in the outfield, including 25 in left, in 2017. The Brewers needed to make some moves.

And so, they did. The Brewers traded for Christian Yelich and signed Lorenzo Cain as a free agent. At least they moved Brinson in the trade, so now they are only plus one outfielder. Those problems remain, and have just been magnified.

So what to do with the Brewers starting outfield from last year? Expectations were that Broxton and Santana would be put on the block, potentially used as trade chips to get back bullpen help or another piece in the rotation. Instead, Milwaukee has another potential plan – shifting Braun to first base.

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Such a move really would not solve anything. There would still be the same logjam in the outfield, only Thames would be a bigger part of the quagmire. In addition, Jesus Aguilar, who performed well in his first real chance at the major league level, would be without a role.

It may be inevitable that Braun moves to first. He is 34 years old, and has been slowing down defensively. At this point, he has been below league average in range factor over the past three years, as he has shuffled from right to left. Braun still has the arm, a holdover from his time at third, but has started to become a liability. Eventually, the Brewers will need to find another place for him in the lineup.

This is not the time. Braun can survive in right for another year or two, his strong arm still a weapon in the outfield. Meanwhile, this would let the Brewers keep their productive tandem of Thames and Aguilar at first. They still have that outfield logjam, but would only need to make one or two moves instead of three or more.

Next: Brewers moves lift load from Shaw

The Milwaukee Brewers have improved their outfield this offseason. They still have a lot of moves to make before Opening Day.