Is this a bad sign for resigning Prince?
Braun to sign record deal
By Tom Haudricourt
Thursday, May 15 2008, 08:18 AM
The Milwaukee Brewers will announce this morning that leftfielder Ryan Braun has agreed to a seven-year contract extension that will be a record in terms of both length and money for the team and the industry.
The Brewers have called a 10 a.m. press conference at Miller Park to make "a major baseball announcement." Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, was contacted en route to Milwaukee this morning but said he could reveal no details prior to the club's announcement.
Knowing the history of Balelo and his agency, CAA, the contract can be expected to far exceed the six-year, $31 millon deal that Colorado gave shortstop Troy Tulowitzki earlier this year. Tulowitzki was the runner-up to Braun for National League rookie of the year in 2007 and has more service time than Braun.
Braun's deal is expected to surpass the largest contract in club history -- the $42 million the Brewers gave free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan for four years prior to the 2007 season.
By giving Braun a seven-year extension beyond this year, the Brewers would buy out Braun's first year of free agency. Team owner Mark Attanasio said earlier this year it would make no sense to do long-term deals with any of the club's younger stars without buying out at least a year of free agency.
Because Braun played only four months in the majors last year, he has three more years to go to be eligible for salary arbitration. Then, he would need three more years before qualifying for free agency after the 2013 season.
Braun, 24, batted .324 with 34 home runs and 97 RBI in only 113 games last year to earn NL rookie of the year honors. His .634 slugging percentage was the highest for a rookie in major league history.
Braun moved from third base to left field this spring. The club has engaged in negotiations with both Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder, and has its first big breakthrough in trying to tie up their young talent for years to come.
Braun's deal will far exceed in guaranteed money the deal Tampa Bay recently gave "zero-plus" player Evan Longoria. He signed a deal guaranteed for $17.5 million for six years that could be worth up to $44 million over nine years, including options.
The new deal is an extension of the $455,000 salary Braun was given for this season back in spring training. I'm guessing it has to be worth around $45 million or so.
Braun to sign record deal
By Tom Haudricourt
Thursday, May 15 2008, 08:18 AM
The Milwaukee Brewers will announce this morning that leftfielder Ryan Braun has agreed to a seven-year contract extension that will be a record in terms of both length and money for the team and the industry.
The Brewers have called a 10 a.m. press conference at Miller Park to make "a major baseball announcement." Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, was contacted en route to Milwaukee this morning but said he could reveal no details prior to the club's announcement.
Knowing the history of Balelo and his agency, CAA, the contract can be expected to far exceed the six-year, $31 millon deal that Colorado gave shortstop Troy Tulowitzki earlier this year. Tulowitzki was the runner-up to Braun for National League rookie of the year in 2007 and has more service time than Braun.
Braun's deal is expected to surpass the largest contract in club history -- the $42 million the Brewers gave free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan for four years prior to the 2007 season.
By giving Braun a seven-year extension beyond this year, the Brewers would buy out Braun's first year of free agency. Team owner Mark Attanasio said earlier this year it would make no sense to do long-term deals with any of the club's younger stars without buying out at least a year of free agency.
Because Braun played only four months in the majors last year, he has three more years to go to be eligible for salary arbitration. Then, he would need three more years before qualifying for free agency after the 2013 season.
Braun, 24, batted .324 with 34 home runs and 97 RBI in only 113 games last year to earn NL rookie of the year honors. His .634 slugging percentage was the highest for a rookie in major league history.
Braun moved from third base to left field this spring. The club has engaged in negotiations with both Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder, and has its first big breakthrough in trying to tie up their young talent for years to come.
Braun's deal will far exceed in guaranteed money the deal Tampa Bay recently gave "zero-plus" player Evan Longoria. He signed a deal guaranteed for $17.5 million for six years that could be worth up to $44 million over nine years, including options.
The new deal is an extension of the $455,000 salary Braun was given for this season back in spring training. I'm guessing it has to be worth around $45 million or so.
