MLB Trade Rumors: Zack Greinke and Kansas City Royals Have 10 Options
Zack Greinke's tenure with the Kansas City Royals could very well be coming to an abrupt end this week.
Although two years still remain on the 2009 AL Cy Young's contract, the Royals are trying to maximize his value by trading him now. They are of course counting on the fact that they likely won't be competing for a playoff spot anytime soon.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Royals would like to receive ”two young pitchers with Greinke-like potential in any trade for their ace." While that request isn't mandatory, it is what the Royals will be looking for.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the 10 teams that the ace could find himself on next year.
New York Yankees
1 of 10
We all know about the Yankees' unrelenting interest in Cliff Lee. The interest in Zack Greinke however flies under the radar. Yet it's still a distinct possibility that the big-spending Yankees could end up with both.
It may not be the best option in the world for either side.
The Royals would no doubt ask for Phil Hughes or Jesus Montero in return for Greinke, and there's not much of a chance at all that New York parts with either. Remember that the Yankees have turned down deals for Johan Santana and Roy Halladay in the past because Hughes was involved. Now that Hughes has posted an 18-win season there's no chance.
Other players that could be involved include Dellin Batances (a 22-year-old right-hander), Hector Noesi (a 23-year-old right-hander), and Joba Chamberlain (a big-time prospect who hasn't panned out yet).
Regardless, this deal should not happen. Greinke has said in the past that he doesn't want to play in New York. He's suffered from social anxiety disorder in the past and that would make the bright lights and intense media scrutiny associated with New York incredibly difficult to handle.
Boston Red Sox
2 of 10
Even though the Red Sox have made a couple of big splashes in the free-agent market this offseason and are relatively stacked at pitching, you can't count Theo Epstein and Boston out of the discussion.
While the Royals would love to get Clay Buchholz out of the deal, there's no way that Boston will part with him.
They'd be far more likely to give away Felix Doubront. Despite the 23-year-old southpaw's success at Double-A and Triple-A, as well as his 25-inning test run in the big leagues, Boston still appears willing to deal him.
Other potential players involved could be 19-year-old pitcher Stolmy Pimentel and 23-year-old infielder Yamaico Navarro.
Once again though, the pressure associated with Boston sports may not be in Greinke's best interest.
Texas Rangers
3 of 10
While Cliff Lee is undoubtedly the Rangers' top offseason priority, Zack Greinke could be a nice consolation prize if Lee is snatched away by the Yankees or one of the other suitors.
Right now, the Rangers are considered the favorites to trade for the Royals ace, even if they manage to keep Lee.
The two players that would need to be included in a trade are Tommy Hunter and Tanner Scheppers.
Hunter is a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher with a good bit of Major League experience despite his young age. He's also coming off a great season, posting 13 wins and a 3.74 ERA.
The deal though would be made because of the inclusion of Scheppers. The 23-year-old pitched in both Double-A and Triple-A this season. He's one of the best prospects in the game and his fastball and curveball are both unmatched by any Rangers prospect.
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Los Angeles Angels
4 of 10
The Los Angeles Angels are having a disappointing offseason so far as they have failed to sign Carl Crawford and all indications point towards a similar result in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
Rafael Soriano and Adrian Beltre still look to be the big priorities, but I'm sure the Angels wouldn't mind winding up with Greinke.
The prospect included would have to be Mike Trout, a great young hitter. However, Mike Scioscia has proven to be a big Trout fan, making any sort of deal highly unlikely.
This potential deal is worth a mention, but really nothing more than that.
Toronto Blue Jays
5 of 10
Now that Shaun Marcum is gone, the Blue Jays have a hole at pitcher and would love to fill it with Zack Greinke.
Even though they aren't the favorites, no team has been more aggressive in pursuing a deal with the Royals than the Blue Jays.
Toronto has made it clear that they have no intention of trading away either Travis Snider, a young outfielder, or Kyle Drabek, an incredible pitching prospect recently acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies.
The only player that could really replace either of those mentioned above is Brett Cecil, a 25-year-old pitcher who is coming off a 15-win, 4.22 ERA campaign.
Even though they've stated that they won't part with Snider and Drabek, it could be all political. Don't count out the Jays.
St. Louis Cardinals
6 of 10
Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, both potential Cy Young candidates, already call St. Louis home, but it can't really hurt to add one more stud to the rotation. An acquisition of Greinke would give the Cardinals the best pitching trio in all of baseball.
To trade for him, the Cardinals would most likely have to part with center fielder Colby Rasmus.
Rasmus hit .276 this season with an on-base percentage of .361. He also blasted 23 home runs and swiped 12 bases. All indications point towards him being a very good player, one that the Cardinals should be hesitant to part with.
However, Tony La Russa and Rasmus had a public feud throughout the season, resulting in a few benchings of the young player. Because of that, it's possible that the St. Louis front office decides to shop him.
Washington Nationals
7 of 10
Even though the Washington Nationals have already signed Jayson Werth to a lucrative $126-million contract, they can't be counted out of the Greinke sweepstakes.
I'll go ahead and state the obvious. There's zero chance that the Nationals would trade away either Stephen Strasburg or Bryce Harper. In fact, it's more likely that there's a negative chance than a positive one.
However, the Nationals still have plenty to offer in a potential trade.
Washington has made it clear that they're trying to deal Josh Willingham, especially after the Werth acquisition. Additionally, they could trade away talented pitcher Drew Storen or shortstop Ian Desmond.
Add in prospects like Derek Norris and Destin Hood and the deal becomes increasingly likely.
That said, I'm not sure why the Nationals would mortgage their bright future to trade for Greinke.
Baltimore Orioles
8 of 10
It would be strange to see a big-name pitcher in an Orioles uniform, but Baltimore has the prospects to make a deal happen if they're interested in pursuing such an option.
The centerpiece of any trade would have to be Chris Tillman. Although the 23-year-old has struggled his way to a 5.61 ERA and a 4-10 record in his MLB career, he has dominated the minor leagues and remained a top prospect.
You can't forget that he's won 40 games in the farm system and even threw a no-hitter in Triple-A.
Other players involved could be David Hernandez and David Bundy. Hernandez has been similar to Tillman in that he's struggled when not pitching in the minor leagues. Bundy is a 20-year-old fresh off a dominant season at Single-A.
Los Angeles Dodgers
9 of 10
The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't exactly been one of the oft-mentioned teams when it comes to potential Zack Greinke trades, but they could make a deal happen.
Pitching is a strength for the Dodgers so there really isn't too much of an incentive to pursue a trade, but they have the farm system necessary.
Any trade would likely involve some combination of Chris Withrow, Aaron Miller and Ethan Martin. The three pitchers are all considered good, young, power throwers.
Dee Gordon could also be included as the shortstop has all the tools necessary to be a successful big-league shortstop.
This trade isn't likely, but it is worth mentioning.
Kansas City Royals
10 of 10
Remember that all of these potential trades, as well as the other pieces of news that you've probably read about the Kansas City Royals ace, are all hypothetical right now.
There's still no guarantee that Greinke is traded at all.
He does have a no-trade clause that he would have to waive in order to move to a different team.
If Greinke doesn't like his new team or if the Royals can't make a deal, he'll remain in the Royals uniform, doomed to another year of good pitching and no wins.
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