Dodgers Rumors: ‘No Evidence’ L.A. Interested in Ryan Braun

The Dodgers and Brewers came close to a Ryan Braun trade at the waiver deadline last summer. A recent report linked the parties again.

And now, of course, another report rejects it.

There are no signs the Dodgers are still interested in acquiring Braun, according to Jon Heyman.

Inside the NL: notes on all (shelby, braves kids, schwarbs, suarez, thor, braun, wacha, meadows, trea, zim). https://t.co/yW81yqvbnE

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 21, 2017

Heyman said the teams’ talks were exaggerated last year. Milwaukee may be pressured to deal Braun, but L.A. is currently in no rush to make a move.

“There is no evidence of any real trade talk with the Brewers regarding Ryan Braun, who was a target last winter and is red hot,” Heyman writes. “There could be some urgency for the Brewers to talk now, as Braun becomes a 10-and-5 player May 24, but the Dodgers aren’t feeling any pressure. There have been a few stories regarding renewed talk (without actual renewed talk) but sources insist nothing is stirring at the moment. The sides also never got quite as close as was perceived in some quarters last year.”

Yasiel Puig’s impressive start to the season is one reason for holding off on Braun, Heyman opines. He added that the left field committee has yet to bear fruit, and Cody Bellinger may be the team’s solution. That said, as the struggles against lefties remain, a bat like Braun makes sense, thus the persistent (but empty) rumors.

[graphiq id=”b2WRndfPkwt” title=”Ryan Braun 2017 Complete Batting Splits” width=”640″ height=”603″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/b2WRndfPkwt” ]

It’s mid-April. Despite the Dodgers’ early inconsistencies, now isn’t the time to consider a move of Braun’s magnitude. Keep in mind Los Angeles started slow a season ago, and it’s top ranked pitching staff ERA and sixth ranked offense suggest it’s better than it’s 8-8 record.

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