MLB Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the Teams Most Likely To Acquire Zack Greinke
The MLB's winter meetings have come and gone, and the former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke still has not been traded out of Kansas City.
Royals GM Dayton Moore made statements during the winter meetings that KC would be willing to trade their star player to anyone that was interested. In the end, there were some teams that would have like Greinke's services, but could never come to an agreement with the Royals for what they wanted in return.
Now, with the top prize of the free agent class, Cliff Lee, still unsigned, many, including Royals officials believe that after Lee signs, the interesting in Greinke will grow immensely.
With many teams likely to have been interested and will be interested in the stud pitcher, some are more likely to acquire him than others in terms of what they have to offer in return for his services.
8. San Francisco Giants
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Some would argue that the Giants don't need any more help in a starting rotation that already includes former Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum and the emerging Matt Cain.
However, as I always say, you can never have enough starting pitching in this league.
Acquiring Greinke might likely mean that the Giants would have to get rid of a prospect the caliber of a Buster Posey or Madison Bumgarner, and I'm just not so sure that the Giants would be willing to do that right now, but you never know.
7. Boston Red Sox
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Everyone knows about the struggles that Red Sox starter Josh Beckett has endured.
The Sox seem to be upgrading every other position(first base and left-field already), they might as well try to upgrade their starting pitching as well.
As far as who Boston could give up is up in the air but they might be willing to give up Clay Buchholz, who's trading value is through the roof right now, and a prospect or two to the Royals.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
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The Blue Jays have been linked to Greinke and why not, he is a great pitcher who still has many more years to play in this league.
After all, the Blue Jays just will not have Shaun Marcum anymore, and could use some help in their rotation
They also have an outfielder in Travis Snider that could be used as part of a package to land the young stud Greinke.
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5. Tampa Bay Rays
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The Rays have had one of the best farm systems in the game for years now, and this gives them a great chance to land Greinke.
They have produced players like David Price, Carl Crawford and also Evan Longoria.
The Royals could use a starter like Jeff Niemann to help bolster their rotation and they wouldn't mind getting a hitter like Reid Brignac as well.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
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The Phillies are another team that has some money to spend this off-season and would love to see Greinke in Philadelphia.
They also have a couple guys in their organization who could serve as a solid return for Greinke.
Right-hander Trevor May and and right-fielder Dominic Brown could be on the Royals radar for a potential trade.
3. Los Angeles Angels
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The Angels are another team that has been reportedly in on the Zack Greinke sweepstakes.
They have also been a recent trade partner with KC in the past, as the Royals gave LA starter Sean O'Sullivan and minor-leaguer Will Smith for third basemen Alberto Callaspo.
The Royals could be looking for a solid starter like a Scott Kazmir and could be interesting in young outfielder Mike Trout as well.
2. Texas Rangers
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The Rangers have already been reportedly very interested in Greinke already, and if they can't get Cliff Lee, they will surely make him their top priority this off-season.
The great thing about the Rangers organization is that right now it is loaded with talent. Entering 2009, Baseball America had Texas ranked as the best farm system in baseball and this would really help them in the Greinke sweepstakes.
The Royals would likely want a quality starter and a prospect for Greinke and current starter Tommy Hunter and the young, talented Tanner Scheppers could easily fit that bill.
1. New York Yankees
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Overall, I believe that the Yankees have the best shot at getting Greinke out of any ML team.
The big factor in this is the almighty dollar and how the Yankees have the most money to spend right now in the league, and they usually do every off-season.
Even if they acquire Cliff Lee, I could still see New York getting Greinke and possible getting him for a package that could include starter Phil Hughes and the hot catching prospect Austin Romine.
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.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
