Braun Tests Positive, Could Mean Big Changes in Milwaukee

By Bill King
Updated: December 10, 2011

It was just made public that NL MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and will serve a 50-game suspension barring an appeal. This is extremely significant for Milwaukee going forward and all but surely takes them out of the bidding for Prince Fielder as Braun will miss 1/3 of the season in 2012. This news must come as a shock to the front office, and puts them in a very awkward position.

Both Zack Greinke and Shawn Marcum are in the middle of working on contract extensions. The Milwaukee infield is abysmal with the exception of Rickie Weeks. The Brewers really relied on the Fielder/Braun combo for a large portion of their offensive production. If I were the GM over in Milwaukee I would use this opportunity to rebuild. Don’t sign fielder, shop Greinke and Marcum and get some pieces that will help you for 2013-’14 because 2012 is essentially a loss without Braun in the lineup. I think the biggest mistake would be to continue the game plan and hope that they can pick back up in the second half of 2012. The offense isn’t strong enough to hold everything together without Braun in such a strong division.