Braun's Horrible Two-Step & "Coming Clean" Statement on Use of PED's

I wanted to post something over the weekend but work has been kicking my butt lately so that forced me to postpone my post on suspended Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun's two-step from over the weekend.  In the mean time, Braun released his "come clean" statement on his used of PED's.  I will cover my thoughts on Braun's statement but let's recap the other reports first before dissecting the statement.

First, CBS's "60 Minutes" reported that someone associated with Alex Rodriguez leaked documents that connected Braun to Biogenesis, the clinic at the center of one of MLB's largest PED scandals. Second, ESPN reported that Braun is being sued for defamation by "longtime" friend Ralph Sasson.  Early indications are that part of the lawsuit will show that Braun used PED's in college, committed academic fraud, and took money.

There is a ton to unpack.  Whether A-Rod leaked documents about Braun's PED use will grab the most headlines but is the least interesting story of the three to me because A-Rod has overtaken Barry Bonds to become the center of the PED universe in baseball (don't worry Lance, you are still center of the PED universe in sports). Braun could sue A-Rod for tortious interference with contractual relationship, which is the same way this whole saga started with MLB using that theory against Tony Bosch, the owner of Biogenesis.

The second story is interesting to me because it means Braun's friend either needs money or wants to clear his conscious.  I don't get why high profile people hire friends to "dig up dirt" since that creates an on-going cost of doing business.  I guess high-profile people can trust very few people so they figure long-time childhood friends will stay loyal but even those confidants have their breaking point.

Immediately after Braun's suspension was announced, I was worried about how that was going to impact Green bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers since Rodgers vehemently defended Braun.  That doesn't even account for the fact that Braun and Rodgers own a restaurant together that is comically named 8-Twelve MVP Bar and Grill.

I am part of the strong majority that was less than impressed with Braun's statement.  When Braun temporarily got his positive PED test overturned via the Reverse Al Capone, he delivered his statement in-person at spring training in a very strong manner.  Even if Braun wasn't going to take questions, he should have read his statement to reporters instead issuing it via a press release.

Here would have been my simple five-point plan for Braun:
1. Sincerely apologize to the fans, Dino Laurenzi, and ownership
2. Give back your 2011 NL MVP
3. Explain in grave detail your exact PED use
4. Stay out of the public eye till spring training next season
5. Offer to take a weekly test for the rest of his career

I know #2 and #5 are long-shots but that would go a long way towards leaving misdeeds in the past while trying to forge a trusting relationship going forward.  It is too early to tell on #4 but so far Braun has only half satisfied #1 and #3.  I am less than impressed with how Braun has handled this so far, which give me very little confidence that Braun will thrive on and off the field for the next decade in Milwaukee.

Prince Fielder signs with the Detroit Tigers

Before we jump into the details of Prince Fielder's historic contract, let me put the negotiations in context. In early 2010 the Milwaukee Brewers offered Fielder a five-year, $100 million contract. Fielder's agent Scott Boras "according to sources" countered with an eight-years, $176 million contract. The counter-offer by Boras ended the negotiations between both sides because apparently Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, most likely after consulting with principal owner Mark Attansio, decided they could not make a solid counter-offer.

Fast forward to a few months ago when the Brewers were eliminated from the playoffs by the St. Louis Cardinals. In most cases a team in the Brewers' spot at least makes a courtesy offer but apparently Boras told the Brewers that it was going to cost at least $200 million to sign Fielder. If $176 million ended negotiations, $200 million made even a courtesy offer impossible. At that point everyone knew Fielder played his last game in Milwaukee, the question turned to where will Fielder actually sign?

With most of the big market clubs out of the "bidding war" for various reasons: Angels (Albert Pujols), Cubs (owner trying to be cost conscious), Dodgers (current owner already bankrupt), Mets (owners might go bankrupt), Phillies (Ryan Howard), Red Sox (Adrian Gonzalez), White Sox (Paul Konerko), and Yankees (Mark Teixeira) that left very few bidders for Prince Fielder.

For the last month it has been a flip of the coin between the Washington Nationals and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers always made more sense by the mere fact that they play in the American League so Fielder could DH part-time now and full-time sooner rather than later. Outsiders always thought the Nationals were involved just to help drive up the price for Fielder to ultimately land in Texas and gobble up some of the Ranger's new local television money set to start flowing in a few years. Much like Pujols seemingly out of nowhere signing with the Angels, Fielder signed with the Tigers instead of the Nationals or Rangers.

Once the dust settles the numbers might be slightly different but as of right now Fielder signed a nine-year, $214 million contract to play for the Detroit Tigers. To put that huge contract in perspective, there have only been three larger contracts signed in MLB history: Albert Pujols' recent deal (10-years, $240 million for 2012-21) and both of A-Rod's record breaking contracts ($252 million for 2001-10 and after opting out early he signed a $275 million from 2008 to 2017).

I have been critical of agents like Scott Boras and Drew Rosenhaus many times in this same space. Unfortunately Boras delivered the goods and probably inked a few more high-profile soon-to-be free agents in the process. The only asterisk for Boras is that if Victor Martinez didn't recently tear his ACL, there is no way that Fielder signs with the Tigers. Either way, Boras pounced and got his client the $200 million that he promised.

In the short-term the Brewers have a huge hole in the middle of their order with Fielder signing with the Tigers and Ryan Braun facing a 50-game suspension.

Only time will tell if Fielder is worth all that money. The easy answer is to say no and that Fielder will eat his way out of the league sooner rather than later, we all know that he has the means after signing a $214 million contract. I am not saying Fielder is worth $214 million but I am intrigued by him playing for his estranged father's former team. Thanks for the great memories Prince and good luck across Lake Michigan playing for the Tigers.