Boardwalk Empire - 2040.4 - Braun Opts Out

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Boardwalk Empire - 2040.4 - Braun Opts Out

Post by Joshua Biddle » Sun Dec 08, 2019 3:44 am

Lloyd Braun Opts Out

Lloyd Braun filed the necessary paperwork to opt out of the remaining four years and $27 million remaining on the five-year, $40 million contract signed with the Gamblers on 12/12/2038. The move was unexpected by Atlantic City’s front office after Braun’s disappointing first season with the Gamblers.

The thirty-three year old Braun signed the five-year pact with Atlantic City coming off of three-plus solid seasons in Seattle, hitting .277/.347/.414, 317 runs scored, 105 doubles, 24 triples, 43 home runs, 249 RBIs, 90 stolen bases in 104 attempts (.865 success rate), and a 12.9 WAR in 2,311 plate appearances (514 games, 509 starts), also winning Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove Awards at Second Base in 2037 and 2038. In his lone season in Atlantic City, the popular Braun hit .259/.318/.384 with 70 runs scored, 23 doubles, 12 triples, 9 home runs, 65 RBIs, 37 stolen bases in 43 attempts (.861 success rate), and a 2.3 WAR in 648 plate appearances (157 games, 156 starts). Braun was signed to fill a long void at shortstop for the Gamblers, and played the position competently (.978 fielding percentage, 15 errors, -0.7 zone rating, .997 defensive efficiency), though the offense/defense combination wasn’t enough to propel Atlantic City to a good season. Of course, it is unfair to pin that burden solely on Braun, and there was plenty of frustration and blame to go around between Braun, other free agent acquisitions, some incumbents, and the front office.

With the departure of Braun, the Gamblers could look to free agency to bring in another shortstop, or could look in-house at intriguing international prospect Sven Burel. Burel, 21, has yet to show consistent offensive production at any level of the minor leagues, but got a taste of Class-AAA pitching so he shouldn’t be completely overmatched if he is to make the jump to the BBA next season. Hitting aside, the allure of Burel is quite simply an amazing glove and defensive skills that could have him in the running to be one of the best defensive shortstops seen in quite some time. He won the WCL (AA) DNL Brad Aramathal Glove Award for his work at shortstop this past season, recording 9 errors (.977 fielding percentage), a +10.1 zone rating, and a 1.092 defensive efficiency in 750 2/3 innings (86 games) at the position. Braun split the 2039 season between three levels, finishing the season at Class-A Long Island hitting .272/.340/.404 with 20 runs scored, 9 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 RBIs, 3 stolen bases in 5 attempts (.600 success rate), and a 1.1 WAR in 157 plate appearances (36 games, 35 starts); .217/.317/.345 with 39 runs scored, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 36 RBIs, 5 stolen bases in 5 attempts (1.000 success rate), and a 1.6 WAR in 356 plate appearances (87 games, 86 starts) with Class-AA Trenton; and .244/.292/.333 with 5 runs scored, 4 doubles, and a 0.2 WAR in 49 plate appearances (11 games) with Class-AAA Brooklyn.
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