Ryan Braun still happy with long-term Brewers commitment

The Brewers have had no luck in recent years in keeping elite players off the free-agent market. Overtures to the likes of CC Sabathia, Prince Fielder and Zack Greinke were rebuffed and those players left for huge deals with other clubs.

The one exception has been all-star leftfielder Ryan Braun. He signed an eight-year, $45 million deal after his 2007 NL rookie of the year season, then basically committed to the Brewers for life by agreeing to a five-year, $105 million extension in April 2011 that takes him through the 2020 season with a mutual option for 2021.

In an interview on "The D List"  on 540 Milwaukee ESPN radio on Wednesday morning, Braun said he had no regrets for signing up for years to come with the Brewers rather than seeing what he might be offered on the free agent market.

"I wouldn't change a thing," said Braun. "I love it in Milwaukee. It's amazing. I think the more time I've spent there, the more I realize how great a situation it really is.

"An incredibly supportive fan base. A great ball park to play in. Weather is never an issue. We're centrally located as far as travel goes. I think from the top of the organization, from the ownership group on down, everybody is committed to winning. We've got to go to the playoffs two times in the last four or five years. We're consistently playing competitive baseball.

"For me, there's no place I'd rather be. I'm certainly still thrilled with the decision I made. I feel so fortunate, I really do. But I don't fault anybody else for making their decision, either. They have to do what they feel are in their best interests."

Braun went on to say he feels great physically and is looking forward to once again participating in the World Baseball Classic this spring.


(jsonline.com)