Friday, April 22, 2011

Braun Signs $105 Million Extension

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed outfielder Ryan Braun to a contract extension that will keep him roaming the Miller Park outfield through 2020.  Braun is already signed through 2015, but he will now be paid $105 million from 2016-2020.  There is also a mutual option for 2021.  The extension calls for a $10 million signing bonus and then Braun will earn $19 million each year from 2016-2018, $18 million in 2019, and $16 million in 2020.  The 2021 mutual option is worth up to $20 million dollars with a $4 million buyout.  The new extension also includes a no-trade clause and Braun has agreed to defer some money to help keep the team competitive.  Braun, Joe DiMaggio, Chuck Klein, Ted Williams, and Albert Pujols are the only players to hit 125 home runs and record a .300 batting average over the first four seasons of their careers.

This is obviously a good deal for the Brewers, who will keep one of the majors most productive players in Milwaukee for another ten seasons.  Along with longer contracts that were recently signed by Yovani Gallardo, Rickie Weeks, and Corey Hart, the Brewers have a nice core of players to build around.  Now the only problem is Prince Fielder, the slugging first baseman whose contract expires at the end of this season.  The Brewers don't have the money to resign him, so they need to win this season or trade Fielder mid-season.  Even without Fielder, Braun is still a great signing by the Brewers, who will now be guaranteed to have a deadly offensive weapon for the next ten years.  

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