The Milwaukee Brewers suddenly have one of the most crowded outfields in baseball, and Ryan Braun is open to changing positions if it helps the team make room for its new additions.
With the Brewers signing Lorenzo Cain to an $80 million contract and trading for former Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich last week, it seems inevitable that another trade is coming. In the meantime, Brewers GM David Stears said recently that the team has spoken with Braun about moving to first base, and Braun said Sunday that he would be open to it.
Ryan Braun says he's open to trying not only first base but also second base in spring training. "We’ve had a few conversations about second base, a few conversations about first base. I’ll play wherever they want me to play," he said this morning at Brewers On Deck.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) January 28, 2018
Braun, when asked if he has fond memories of playing the infield: "Shortstop, yes. Second base, yes, Third base, not so much. And I’ve actually never played first, but I’m confident that I’ll put the work in and do the best that I can."
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) January 28, 2018
As Braun alluded to, playing third base was a disaster for him at the start of his career. He was one of the worst defensive third basemen in the game during his rookie season in 2007, which is why he was moved to the outfield.
Milwaukee already has Eric Thames at first, and he is coming off a season in which he hit a career-high 31 home runs. It’s possible he and Braun could split time with Braun still playing some games in the outfield, but it also wouldn’t be shocking if the Brewers tried to trade Braun. They were reportedly engaging in discussions with at least one team last season and could open those talks again.
