Counsell still expects Braun to be in left field

National Harbor, Md. – If the Milwaukee Brewers are actively peddling Ryan Braun, they certainly wouldn't say so publicly and tip their hand.

But manager Craig Counsell indicated Wednesday he hadn't heard or seen anything at baseball's winter meetings that made him think Braun would be playing for another club next season.

"I’m planning on him being the leftfielder," Counsell said during a media session. "I don’t see anything to change that. He's our leftfielder."

That could change with one phone call, of course. The Brewers held extensive talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31 regarding a trade involving Braun but could not get it done before the midnight deadline for postseason eligibility.

It could turn out that was the best and only chance for the Brewers to move Braun. Counsell is privy to all talks being conducted by general manager David Stearns and his staff at these meetings, and it was evident he didn't foresee an avenue to a deal.

Brewers quickly revamped their infield

As has been discussed many times, Braun is not an easy player to trade. He is 33, has experienced health issues in the past, has four years and $76 million remaining on a contract with extensive trade protection as well as the personal baggage of being suspended for performance-enhancing drug use in 2013.

But Braun doesn't really fit the Brewers' rebuilding plan, either. He is the last man standing after one established player upon another was traded, mostly for minor-league prospects. It doesn't make a lot of sense to pay an aging player – even a productive one – nearly $20 million a year at this stage, but the Brewers certainly won't give Braun away.

Because Braun bounced back from injuries, including back surgery, to have a productive 2016 season (.903 OPS, 30 homers, 91 RBI in 135 games), there has been interest from other clubs. So, it would not be shocking in any way if the Brewers were able to move him before next season.

"There’s going to be interest in someone like Braun because of the year he had," Stearns said. "I don’t know that we’re necessarily any closer or farther away (in talks with other clubs) than we were before we got here."

Early look at Brewers depth chart

Which is why, at this point, Counsell has Braun penciled in once again in left field. The Brewers' primary concern at this stage is acquiring late-inning bullpen help, via either trade or free agency, after sending closer Tyler Thornburg to Boston in a trade Tuesday for third baseman Travis Shaw and two prospects.

Asked if he was worried about covering the end of games, Counsell smiled and said, "If there was a game today, I’d be worried, yeah. There’s not, so we’ve got time."

Stearns has been busy talking to both agents of free-agent relievers as well as teams that have relievers available in trade, and sounded as if he'd like to acquire more than one.

"We've had a number of productive conversations," Stearns said. "There are a number of relievers who like our opportunity, who like the potential to pitch in high-leverage innings. We'll leave here having a very firm sense of what that market looks like and we'll proceed from there."

Whomever the Brewers acquire between now and spring training will mix in with holdovers such as Corey Knebel, Carlos Torres, Jacob Barnes and Jhan Mariñez. One way or the other, Counsell believes a serviceable bullpen will be cobbled together.

"It will take a while for us to shake out where everybody fits, and that’s fine. That’s part of bullpen flexibility. The No. 1 thing is – I’ll say it again – getting outs. How they get outs, when they get outs, not as important as getting outs."

One possible internal candidate went off the board when right-hander Steve Geltz chose free agency over an outright assignment to Class AAA Colorado Springs. Geltz had been claimed earlier from Tampa Bay.