Ryan Braun Suspended For Rest of Season
Well, the first shoe in the BioGenesis case has fallen. Faced with the possibility of having the issue continue to linger into 2014, Ryan Braun has agreed to a deal with MLB, and will be suspended for the rest of the 2013 season, which in the Brewers case, amounts to 65 games.
While Braun’s not going to enjoy being suspended, this is actually a pretty good resolution for the Brewers overall. Their 2013 season is obviously finished, and the marginal value of Braun’s contributions this year weren’t really going to matter to the organization. Without him in the line-up, they might even end up with a better draft pick than they would have otherwise in a year where the amateur talent is supposed to be pretty good.
More importantly, this should close the book on the BioGenesis case as far as Braun is concerned, which means that his 2014 status should no longer be in doubt. Braun basically is agreeing to serve a 65 game suspension in a season where those games are meaningless in order to avoid getting suspended in a year where any missed games might impact a pennant race.
For Braun’s own personal legacy and record, this is a blow, but for the Brewers, it’s hard to imagine a better outcome, given that MLB clearly wasn’t going to let this go. Yeah, it’s 65 games, but this is the equivalent of getting pinch hit for in a blow-out. The 2013 Brewers weren’t going anywhere with Ryan Braun, and so now, they put this behind them next spring and try to win with their best player able to spend the whole season on the active roster.
It will be interesting to see how many other players on non-contenders agree to similar deals, putting the appeals process aside and just agreeing to serve their suspensions in lost seasons. If I’m a non-contender and I’ve got a player linked to BioGenesis, I’m strongly urging them to do the same.
Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.
Great move by Braun. I really respect him for lying, covering up, and copping out.
what Melky explained I’m taken by surprise that a dominican can get paid $7031 in one month on the internet to hid ped use. did you see this web site>www.BarryAintTheOnlyOne40.com
Duno why you’re getting down votes. I guess it’s a problem with reading comprehension. Points for remembering Melky’s hillarious fake website defense strategy.
I think people read as far as “you can get paid” and assumed it was well disguised spam.
Pretty soon he’ll be snitching on players who will apppeal
I respect you, anonymous internet commenter.
He AGREED to a 65 Game suspension? The dude took steroids, stole an MVP, lied about it, went through great lengths to get his 1st suspension overturned, and now you negotiate a suspension with him?
He made a mistake.
Everyone makes mistakes, and they learn from it and don’t do it again.
Correction, he made the initial mistake of using the banned substances then he made additional mistakes by arrogantly denying the previous mistake. The man made MISTAKES, as in plural.
PS Braun’s suspension only loses marginal value for a noncontending team? Funny way of describing the face of the franchise admitting he’s been a walking lie. This has effects to the whole franchise. It’s hard for the average fan to continue to support him. I’m not in that crowd, but it’s clearly the popular opinion.
Actually, he made a “mistake” every day he used. This wasn’t a single regrettable lapse in judgment. This was a premeditated–maybe, given the financial incentives at stake–rational decision made repeatedly over the course of years.
His repeated actions do not warrant our sympathy.
I’m a Brewer fan and I couldn’t care less about Braun taking steroids or not. This season is lost anyway so he didn’t hurt the team. In fact, 2011 was a great year to be a Brewer fan and without steroids it probably never would’ve happened.
At this point though, I think the better question to ask is who did NOT take steroids. It would seem as though the vast majority of players were involved.
“It would seem as though the vast majority of players were involved.”
Based on what?
He also lied about it and questioned the reputation of many others until he had no other choice.
I think about that lab tech that Braun basically accused of doctoring his sample.
Give Kemp the MVP
Yeah, because he’s been absolutely wonderful since the 2011 campaign ended.
Which makes his 2011 less awesome?
I was Perry before this guy was Perry. Kemp has been hurt. Remember last April? You can’t hold injured Matt Kemp up next to 2011, MVP Matt Kemp. He’s got a lot left, at least I believe he does.
Irrelevant. Idiot.
Yes, the single year MVP award is well known for being a lifetime achievement award.
He had one of the best April’s ever in 2012…I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he’s dealt with a few injuries since then…
The MVL award.
I can see that my own feelings are running against the grain on this one. I was absolutley shocked when I saw this post’s title appear.
I was as angry and outspoken as anyone when Braun got off on a technicality last year, but this penalty more than makes up for that free ride. This feels like a violation of double jeopardy to me, and possibly hearsay as well, though technically I suppose it is neither.
Since MLB was itching to lynch him, he undoubtedly made the right decision, as Dave explained. But it smells like rotten fish to me.
The other players would be wise to rush to make a similar deal, whether their team is in contention or not. MLB is out for vengeance.
Do you understand that double jeopardy is a legal term that prevents an individual with being tried multiple times for the same crime in court?
Not only is MLB not a part of the judicial system, but the 100-game suspension Braun was looking at was for his involvement with BioGenesis, not for his failed drug test in 2011.
And obviously Braun’s PED use is in no way related to Biogenesis at all. Wait… I mean Braun’s involvement with Biogenesis is in no way related to his PED use at all. Wait…
“I have the worst fucking lawyers”
Amen, brother.
As do I. I’m certain that given the exact same circumstances and choices I would have done exactly the right thing at age 20-whatever with $100+millions at stake. I’m just that righteous.
I would have done the right thing. Most professional baseball players do make the right decision. Character isn’t so rare.