Brewers player Ryan Braun (right) celebrates with Mike Moustakas (18) and Christian Yelich after Braun hit a two-run home run in the first inning for a 2-0 lead. (Photo11: Maddox Kiel-USA TODAY Sports)

PHOENIX – In what was already a busy season for Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers left-winger apparently also played a role in trying to put a team together between field and independent Mike Moustakas.

Moustakas is expected to officially join the Brewers on Tuesday for a $ 10 million one-year contract with a team option for 2020. But in the weeks and months leading up to the move, Braun has made his better to keep both parties engaged.

"Obviously, I'm close to both sides," Braun said after announcing to Maryvale on Monday the deadline for the position players.

"There was a mutual interest on both sides to do something, just make sure that the lines of communication stay open and that both sides understand where they are coming from." "

Mustakas refused to exercise his half of a $ 15 million mutual option to return to the Brewers in late October, probably looking for more years and more money in the market. free agents.

But as was the case during the 2017 off season, when he was content with a $ 6.5 million contract to return to the Kansas City Royals, Moustakas was left out until he accepts his new contract with the Brewers.

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It can be assumed that Braun waived the fees of his discoverer, considering that he has been close to Moustakas for some time. Braun, Moustakas and Christian Yelich are all from California. They live in Malibu and are behind the "California Strong" charity efforts to help shoot victims and wildfires during the off season.

"I've known Mikey since always, since he was small," Braun said. "He came here last year, perfectly integrated, did a great job in the field and obviously is an integral part of our culture in the locker room.

"For all of us, we are really excited to see him again this year."

Although it remains to be seen how Moustakas will undertake to play the second goal – a place in which he has never been in line for eight years in the major leagues – it will not in any way be a question of football. effect it will produce at the clubhouse.

Moustakas was part of the tight-knit team from the beginning of his trade with Milwaukee on July 27th. His "player" attitude and his extensive playoff experience in his Kansas City career were two welcome additions to a Brewers team that would continue. just finish a shy game from the world series.

"He brings a winning attitude every day," said Braun. "During the negotiations, in recent months I've had many conversations with Mike and Mark (Attanasio) (main owner of the team) .One of the most important things about Moose, it's that he shows up every day.His priority is to win a baseball game.I do not think this is something that we can say about all the His only goal is to win the match that day – it's something everyone feeds on.

"He has won most of his career, he has won the biggest stage, of course they have won a world series in Kansas City and have played another.Yasmani (Grandal) has a lot of experience in the They have won their The division of the last five or six years has been played in the last two world series and it is difficult to quantify what it brings, but this experience will benefit everyone in the locker room.

"They know what to expect and trust in themselves because they have already found themselves in this situation."