The Phillies Should Trade For Ryan Braun

The Philadelphia Phillies are making a unexpected run and all eyes are on the playoffs.

Too early to think like this?

Oh yeah.

The Phillies are one bad stretch away from being the mediocre team everyone believed they would be. Even the miserable Atlanta Braves were 42-42 at the midway point last season before eventually imploding on themselves. However, we like to dream big here so let’s take a look at a potential trade target come July.

So, who makes sense for a team that is having a good year but is still rebuilding? None other than Phillie killer, Ryan Braun.
Braun, 32, could be the bat the Phillies need to make 2016 a playoff caliber year. Yes, it’s a bit of a strength but trading for Braun makes sense on multiple fronts.

First off, Braun fits a position of need for the Philadelphia Phillies, who have seen almost nonexistent production from their corner outfielders. Braun would likely slide into left field, his natural spot, freeing up Peter Bourjos and Tyler Goeddel to platoon in right. The only real casualty from this move would be a DFA for Emmanuel Burriss, he of the .100 batting average. Positionally, the only draw back of a Braun trade would be the blockade of Nick Williams and Roman Quinn, both highly touted prospects. Although unconventional for a rebuilding team to block a prospect, it is unlikely that either Williams or Quinn would out produce the slugger.

In addition, Braun would add a much-needed bat to a struggling Phillies lineup. The Phillies, 24-17, have the worst run differential in history with such a record. It is only a matter of time until the law of averages brings them back to earth. Braun could change that. Currently hitting .364 with seven homeruns and 28 RBIs, Braun would add protection for young Maikel Franco who is also struggling at the plate. Adding such a bat would give Phillies’ manager, Pete Mackanin, much more flexibility with his lineup going forward.

The new line up would look something similar to this:

1. Odubel Herrera CF
2. Cesar Hernandez 2B
3. Ryan Braun LF
4. Ryan Howard/Tommy Joseph 1B
5. Maikel Franco 3B
6. Freddy Galvis SS
7. Cameron Rupp/Carlos Ruiz C
8. Pitcher
9. Peter Bourjos/Tyler Goeddel RF

Braun would solidify the three hole, allowing for a multitude of different lineup combinations based on that days’ pitching matchup. Mackanin would have the option to stack righties(Braun, Joseph, Franco, Rupp/Ruiz) against left handers while adjusting to a more balanced lineup(Howard at 4, Galvis splitting Franco and Rupp/Ruiz by sliding into the 6 hole) against righties.

A question still lingers. Why add a player like Braun during a rebuild?

Indeed, it would be unconventional and the Phillies are far from a World Series contender, however, Braun’s contract is team friendly enough to allow him to be apart of the Phillies future. The six-time all star is signed through 2020 at roughly $20 million per year with a mutual option for 2021($4 million buyout). A contract like that becomes much more appealing when Ryan Howard’s $25 million contract comes off the books after the 2016 season.

The Phillies could gain much more than production after acquiring Braun. Aside from being the missing piece to help kick start a weak Phillies lineup, having Braun under contract would allow the Phillies the opportunity to deal him at some point in the future. Even in his mid 30s, the 2011 NL MVP would bring back a nice package of prospects, especially if his production remains similar. This would allow the Phillies more time to develop their outfield prospects while also giving Matt Klentak more flexibility in trying to build a World Series caliber team.

It’s a bold strategy and it would definitely take some assets to acquire Ryan Braun, assets that the Phillies may not be willing to give up. With of lack of positional depth in the organization, the package would likely revolve around pitching prospects, something the Phillies have a plethora of. One would think Zack Eflin, who has had a phenomenal season for Double A Reading(5-0), would be a part of the deal in addition to one of either Jake Thompspn or Mark Appel. The Phillies would likely have to chip in additional pieces to make a deal viable.

Trading for Ryan Braun may be unconventional during a rebuild, however, adding a player of Braun’s caliber could solidify a clear position of need for years to come.