Ryan Braun screws his fantasy owners

Ryan Braun is a liar. There I feel better now.

I, like many of you drafted Braun in the first round of one of my NL only leagues this season. Actually, I drafted him first overall. In this league we pick numbers out of a hat which determine not where we draft, but determines the order of where we choose to pick. So, I grabbed the #5 out of the hat, figuring I would pick 5th. Well, the owners who grabbed numbers 1-4 out of the hat did not choose to pick first overall. They were smart. I was not. I was laughing that I picked #5 and still got to pick #1 overall. And I picked Braun. Now who's laughing? All of the other owners in my league. It really doesn''t matter much anyways, as the rest of my draft didn't go well either, and I am currently in 10th place out of 11 teams.

Anyway, MLB got back at Braun for him getting off when he tested positive two years ago and beat the system due to a technicality. Braun was suspended by MLB today for his transactions with Biogenesis. Here is the official statement from MLB, along with Braun's statement:

Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2013 Championship Season and Postseason for violations of the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Braun is effective immediately.

Ryan Braun said: "As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed — all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love."

"We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions," said Rob Manfred, Executive Vice President, Economics & League Affairs for Major League Baseball. "We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field."

I think they had so much evidence on Braun that he decided to take a plea bargain which suspended him for the rest of the season, effective immediately. I think if he would have appealed and lost, the suspension would have been much longer. He is smart for taking the plea. The dirt on him may, or may not, still come out. But, he save face this time, but he has tarnished his image forever. Maybe that has already happened, but I am sure many fans out there thought he was really innocent.

There are more suspensions to come. ESPN's T.J. Quinn tweeted the following regarding Alex Rodriguez:

Source also tells OTL evidence provided about A-Rod is "far beyond" what Bosch gave them re Braun.

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 22, 2013

A-Rod will be a different story. MLB's case against him includes possibility he interfered with investigation. They'll go after him harder.

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 22, 2013

I wonder if ARod will appeal or take his suspension, which could be longer than Braun's, per Quinn.

For fantasy purposes, there is no way to replace Braun's production, so drop me a question in the comments section with who is available on your league waiver wire, and I can assist in helping in your decision.

Hey, leave a comment on your feelings about the Braun suspension as well.