MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades for Ryan Braun

1. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are the most likely team to make a play for Braun. They already have a stacked lineup, but they also have flexibility and an open spot, and Braun would make this offense an even scarier proposition heading into the playoffs. 

Jose Bautista is currently on the DL, which means there is an open spot for Braun in the outfield. When Bautista comes back, the Jays may want to shift Bautista over to first base for a more permanent role instead. 

This deal would essentially mean the Jays turning all of Justin Smoak’s at bats into Braun at bats. Braun is hitting about 80 points better in average than Smoak, and he has more home runs, steals, and a much higher OPS than Smoak. In short, it’s a definite upgrade. 

Looking ahead to this offseason, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista are free agents. While Braun may hinder the Jays’ chances of signing them both, it was unlikely they were going to do that anyway. On the open market, both of them will end up getting more than the four-year/$72 million that is left on the Braun deal.

Therefore, the Blue Jays would be able to replace one of their lost bats with a cheaper option in Braun. They have one year to win it all with all the big names, but the lineup will still be strong moving forward. Braun could play DH or first base, a position either Bautista or Encarnacion would have been playing anyway. It is an upgrade for today and a smart decision for the future. 

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