Brewers ink Braun to record-setting extension
Posted: Thu May 15 11:55 AM
Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Brewers have signed outfielder Ryan Braun to a record-setting eight-year contract that sets the bar for players with three years or less of major league experience.
The deal, worth a reported $45 million, covers the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year's arbitration years and his first two seasons of free agency. It includes the 2008 campaign and runs through 2015.
"I was drafted by the Brewers and although my career is just beginning, I know that the long-term future of this franchise is very promising," Braun said. "I hope that today's announcement is indicative of how much wearing this uniform means to me."
The pact exceeds the six-year, $31 million contract signed by Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who would have been eligible for arbitration the year before Braun. Rays third baseman Evan Longoria got a six-year, $17.5 million deal that was the previous standard for players like Braun that fall into the "zero-plus" category of service time.
"It's a very good contract for both the ballclub and Ryan," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said.
Braun, just 24 years old, also received the largest contract in franchise history, surpassing the four-year, $42 million dollar deal the Brewers signed pitcher Jeff Suppan to before the 2007 season.
"We've always been looked upon as a small-market team, but we try not to have that attitude," Melvin added.
Braun captured the league's top rookie honor last year despite playing only 113 games. He batted .324 with 34 home runs and 97 runs batted in. His major league-best .634 slugging percentage surpassed the all-time rookie record of .621 set in 1930 by George Watkins of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Braun leads the Brewers with 30 runs batted in and is batting .286 with 10 homers this season.
Because Braun was not called up to the majors until May 2007, Braun would not have been eligible for arbitration until after the 2010 season, and would not have hit the free agent market until the end of the 2013 season.
