To put together the landmark deal the Brewers and Ryan Braun finalized Thursday, many factors need to fall in place. Above all else, the player has to want to do it.

It doesn't matter how honorable the intentions of club officials are if the individual isn't open to the idea.

"Would he make more money, year to year? No question about it," said Braun's agent, Nez Balelo. "But you can't walk away from security, with where he's at right now. For him, it made a lot of sense. He feels good about it, and he should."

Both sides were excited and relieved when the final details were completed on a seven-year contract extension for the 2007 National League Rookie of the Year, worth at least $45 million. ...More