Early on in the 2008 season, the Brewers and Ryan Braun reached agreement on an eight-year, $45MM extension. In the past three years, the 27-year-old has more than lived up to his end of the pact, hitting .303/.363/.535. While some Brewers fans might worry that the outfielder will become unhappy with his contract that seems to favor the club, Braun has put those worries to rest, writes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
"I get it, but it's a non-issue," the three-time All-Star said. "I pay attention to what goes on around the game, obviously, but I'm happy for all of those guys. I agreed to a deal three years ago that goes five [more] years, and I'm excited and honored to be here."
One of "those guys" was Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who agreed to an extension that will provide him with just under $158MM through 2020. It's hard not to draw comparisons between the two as they were separated by just two picks in the 2005 Draft – Braun went to Milwaukee at No. 5 and Tulowitzki to the Rockies at No. 7. Despite the disparity in contracts, Braun insists that he's not jealous of the star shortstop's paycheck.
As McCalvy points out, Braun's deal is still the richest guaranteed deal in Brewers history. It could be surpassed by Rickie Weeks' five-year, $50MM extension, but that deal can be voided in the final year if he is not a regular in 2013 and 2014.
someone remind me why he signed this contract in the first place?
He was an error factory at third and he igned that deal after he was moved to the outfield.
because $45MM pretty much sets him and his family up for life and he was willing to trade what may have been a bigger payday later on for that financial security.
um but EIGHT years? He could have just let them buy out his controllable years, maybe give them 1 FA year, and still set himself up for life. This contract is just brutal.
The last years are where the moneys at. The contract breaks down like this:
08:$0.455M, 09:$0.745M, 10:$1M, 11:$4M, 12:$6M, 13:$8.5M, 14:$10M, 15:$12M
If he only took a 5-year extension, the deal’s only worth like $12 million dollars. I’m willing to bet that Braun was the one pushing for more years, otherwise the deals not worth it. This type of deal usually always works out in the teams favor, but I think the players deep down fear they might be Eric Hinske and take the money.
So.. expect him to be traded in 2013 or 2014. C’mon Brauny you should’ve at least pushed for an opt out clause.
It’s likely that this type of contract led to teams like the Rockies’ deals with Tulo and Carlos Gonzalez. It’s really win-win. Brewers make out like Bandits financially. It is brutal, comparatively in today’s market, for Ryan.
Does he care? Nah, he says, “$45 million, are you kidding me? I’m going to take care of my family, my friends, a few strangers, build a wing at a hospital, and still pick up a small island in the Bahamas.”
And then, when he’s 32, what the hell, he’ll go ahead and sign for another $50-$75 million. Not so bad.
He only lost what, 2-3 years of potential free agency? Good for him for wanting security over the last measly dollar like so many other players.
Even if he wasn’t content with it, is there really anything he could do about it?
No, but if he was on the Yankees, he could opt out. They give opt out contracts to everyone, and it ends up killing them.
The opt-out doesn’t kill them, it’s the irresponsible act of re-signing the players post-opt out that hamstrings them financially. If the Yankees hadn’t resigned A-Rod they’d be sitting pretty right now.
The same thing applies to C.C. Sabathia. If C.C. opts they, they have to resist the urge to re-sign him, because if they do they’re certainly going to only get his decline years, at a even higher price than his prime years.
Braun seems like a real class act. And don’t worry. He’ll get his. I have very little doubt that the guy will earn $150m+ over the course of his career. It may not be the most but it’s certainly more than he and his family will ever need.
Agreed. Once in a while there’s a Ryan Braun and Evan Longoria. It’s not always about the money. No one forced them to sign these contracts either. If I had less than 3 years service time and had a chance to make 45 mil guaranteed, I think I’d take it too.
“It’s hard not to draw comparisons between the two as they were separated by just two picks n the 2005 Draft – Braun went to Milwaukee at No. 5 and Tulowitzki to the Rockies at No. 7.”
Comparing Braun to Tulowitzki is asinine. They may have been separated by two picks, but they are miles apart defensively, and therefore, in value.
Braun is far superior offensively, so that plays into it somewhat too…
Tulo’s WAR was higher than Braun’s in each of the past two years. When Tulo’s healthy and on the field, there’s no comparison that he’s a overall better player. That being said, absolutely no disrespect to Braun–he’s by far my favorite Brewer.
Braun and Vernon Wells could always swap salaries, that way Braun would get what he is worth (22m avg through 2014) and Wells would still be only highly overpaid rather than grossly overpaid through 2015.
This is probably going to go down as one of the best contracts in history. If you swapped Braun and Wells’s contracts, you might actually have a pair of fair ones!
maybe Braun cares more about playing the game rather than being paid the most
The real question is how did Tulo extort $158 mill over the next 10 years from the Rockies?
Talk about security! Holy Moses!
I know, when he’s a FA again, Selig will be 182.
And Torre will be commissioner.
He will only be 32 when he reaches free agency. If the OF free agents this year taught us anything…Braun will be just fine when he reaches free agency.
Consider this. When Braun signed, it was the largest contract for a player EVER with less than 2 full years of MLB playing time. In that regard, Braun made out pretty well. Plus this gives the Brewers flexibility and I bet Mr. Braun enjoys having room to pay for Grienke, Gallardo, Marcum, Hart, and Weeks.
That’s a damn good point… I’m sure the fact that the Crew have had the flexibility to bring in/keep the talent they have this year makes Braun even more content. It’d be fun to see that team pull out a championship this year with all of that relatively young talent
Wow! This guy is insane….who, at 24, would sign a 45 million dollar deal?!? I mean we haven’t seen any 31 year old players sign 126 million dollar contracts this offseason have we? (Braun will be 31 at the end of his current deal.)
Anyone who is attempting to break this down via the financial angle needs to re-read Braun’s comment. The guy speaks like he knows how lucky he is (regardless of where or what team he is playing for). The Brewers just imported Greinke & Marcum so he is practically the equivalent of a fly on some dung.
Comparing Bruan and Tulo is like apples and oranges. Tulo is by far the better player.
At a premium position to boot.
That’s a great conversation in itself.
a player who isnt holding out and ok with a contract they signed, crazy. with wainrights injury and the brewers moves they are the favorites to win nl central. who is his agent, have a feeling next time contract comes up he will have switched, needed that opt out clause ,be hitting free agency at 29-30
a player who isnt holding out and ok with a contract they signed, crazy. with wainrights injury and the brewers moves they are the favorites to win nl central. who is his agent, have a feeling next time contract comes up he will have switched, needed that opt out clause ,be hitting free agency at 29-30
Braun is just a class act that plays for the love of the game. He loves Milwaukee…which i’m thankful for. I just hope the Brewers made the right moves this offseason to put them in contention. Guys like this deserve a championship. I remember when he signed his contract back then and I remember him saying…”what the hell am i going to do with 45 million dollars.” He probably makes more off of his clothing line anyway, so he’s definitely not worried about the money.
Braun has a clothing line?
yeah i think its through Affliction.