Based on his 2015 results and prior excellent performance the Brewers rewarded Ryan Braun with a 5-year, $105 million contract. The most money he had made in a year was prior to this was $13 million in 2015. Now he was guaranteed over $20 million a year for 5 seasons. He was 33 years old.
The results show a player with dramatically decreasing productivity. Prior to 2016, he was a dependable hitter with a .280 average with around 30 home runs and 90 RBIs over 9 seasons.
His first year in 2016 was very good. He batted .305, hit 30 home runs, and had 91 RBIs. Unfortunately for the Brewers, they spent the next four years witnessing a great star age and drop in production.
His batting average went from .305 in 2016
to .268
.254
.285
and finally .233.
His home runs went to 17… 22… 20… to 8 home runs.
Ryan Braun will go down as one of the greatest players (if not the best) in Milwaukee Brewer history. His records stand out although somewhat blemished by admitted PED use. However, this last contract from the Brewers did not yield any comparable results. If one believes older stars should be financially rewarded in their later years for prior seasons, then this contract is acceptable. However, nobody can deny that this $105 million could have improved the team substantially if it was invested elsewhere.
