Milwaukee Brewers

Brewing Trouble: Identifying 5 Things the Milwaukee Brewers Must Improve If a Playoff Run Is in Store

Less than a week ago, the scorching-hot Milwaukee Brewers were coming off a sweep of their interleague rival Minnesota Twins, and had Brewers nation (including myself) clamoring for some well-deserved respect.

Who could blame us?

After locking up Ryan Braun through 2020, can the Brewers actually compete for Prince Fielder's services next season?

With each passing day, the demeanor of most Brewers fans begins to fade ever so slightly regarding the status of their beloved first-baseman, Prince Fielder.

This week was an eventful one for the Milwaukee Brewers, with several events of interest that Brewers fans took pride in this week. From the Brewers winning two of three games from the Phillies, especially game two against Roy Halladay, a 9-0 shutout, to Ryan Braun's monster, historic new contract, Brewers fans had plenty to talk about as their team has been battling in a very competitive NL Central, with no team more than 3 games back. 

More and more, teams are handing out big money to lock up their players long-term. That's really nothing new. When you have a big-time talent, you want to keep that guy in uniform as long as you can.

But what's interesting is the lengths teams have gone to recently to sign players to contract extensions that may or may not be necessary.

The Milwaukee Brewers today signed 27-year-old outfielder Ryan Braun to a five-year contract extension which will make him only one of two MLB players signed through 2020, the other being the Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki.

Ryan Braun cemented his place in Brewers history on Thursday, signing his second long-term contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in the last three years.

The Milwaukee Brewers have gone one step further to ensure they will be competitive for years to come by agreeing to a five-year contract extension with All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun.

It was first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Thursday afternoon.

Braun released the following statement:

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that they have come to an agreement with left fielder Ryan Braun on a contract extension through 2020.

The Milwaukee Brewers farm system has been talked about all spring, but for all the wrong reasons.

After unloading a boatload of young talent to acquire two top-tier starters before Christmas, a common thought has been that the Brewers have the worst system in all of baseball. Yes, in order to acquire Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, the Brewers had to shell over their top prospects in Brett Lawrie, Jake Odorizzi and Alcides Escobar, among others.

It has been well-documented that Brewers manager Ron Roenicke is adamant about Zack Greinke making three rehab starts prior to being activated to the Major League roster.

If tonight's start was any indication, Greinke will be ready sooner rather than later. Greinke started tonight for the Milwaukee Brewers' Class-A affiliate, the Brevard County Manatees. He pitched three full innings without breaking a sweat.