The MLB offseason is already heating up after big deals with the Tigers and the Rangers and while most of the reports have gone around as just rumors, one that is very interesting involves beleaguered Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun and the possibility of a trade to the New York Mets and reports say that Ike Davis could be a potential player moving as well.
According to CBS Sports writer Jon Heyman, the Mets had some preliminary discussions involving Braun and while no talks have turned serious, it could be a deal that comes up later on in the winter. Heyman relayed some information about general manager Sandy Alderson asking the Brewers at the recent GM meetings about Braun and he also said that the team had "internal discussions" regarding the slugger as well and while it was just a quick story, it picked up some steam and while general manager Doug Melvin said to reporters that the team has no "intentions" of trading Braun, that could change down the line in the offseason.
Heyman reports that the Mets news about having discussions on Braun started up from Metsblog.com and Melvin did say that "four or five" teams have asked about Braun and the possibility of a trade and while he did say the team isn't looking to deal the star, Heyman writes that they may be more willing to give him up over Norichika Aoki and that a deal could possibly include first baseman Ike Davis. The Brewers have had a bit of a black hole at first base since they let Prince Fielder go and now Davis could be someone they develop to take over the position if they try and deal for him.
The Mets have been linked in rumors to players like Shin Soo-Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury and the team also signed Chris Young to a smaller deal. Braun was suspended for 65 games for his issues regarding Biogenesis and now he could end up starting over come next season. The Brewers have appeared ready to build around him despite the suspension and he made his first public appearance this week since that time and he also said that he made up with the former drug collector involved back when he was suspended and won an appeal.
Braun obviously has the potential for greatness, but now no one can really know whether it was steroids related or not and with over $100 million and seven years on his deal, the Brewers likely would have to pay money to get a team to accept a trade. Braun is still young at 30-years-old and he averaged 34 home runs for a stretch from 2007 to 2012 and also won an MVP in 2011 that is now looked at differently and during that stretch he also made a number of All-Star teams and also averaged over 100 RBIs during that span. The Mets need to do something big eventually, but this offseason may not be the one they are looking to do that yet, which obviously would be disappointing to fans. Many in the media see this as just speculation, but crazier things have happened, including this offseason when his former teammate Prince Fielder was traded for Ian Kinsler