MLB Trade Rumors: Why Trading Zack Greinke to Orioles Benefits the Brewers Most

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly "going hard" after the Brewers' Zack Greinke.

If the Orioles are willing to give up the right pieces, Milwaukee should jump at this trade opportunity.

The Orioles, however, are unwilling to give up their two best prospects—Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado. Bundy, a starting pitcher, and Machado, a phenomenal shortstop, are considered two of the top 10 prospects in all of baseball.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duqette has said that he wants to build through the system, meaning their high-valued prospects are basically untouchable.

The Milwaukee Brewers are looking for at least one top-tier prospect and should settle for nothing less. Greinke is arguably one of the best hurlers in the game. If the Crew receive anything less than a future stud for their ace, someone did something wrong.

The position of shortstop has been a major issue for the Brewers since the departure of J.J. Hardy and Alcides Escobar. They signed Gold Glove caliber shortstop Alex Gonzalez last offseason, but he was soon lost to a torn ACL.

Milwaukee is looking for the next phenom shortstop, and Manny Machado just might be it.

The 20-year-old out of Miami, Florida is hitting .264, with seven home runs and 48 driven in for his Double-A team. Baseball America ranked Machado ninth in their top 50 prospect list.

One can see why the Orioles may be unwilling to let a young player like Machado go.

But if Baltimore is confident they can sign Greinke to an extension, they may be willing to give up more.

Milwaukee shouldn't even consider this deal unless Machado is included in the discussion. If the Orioles are as serious about Greinke as reports have stated, they must willing to take on some risk.

For the Brewers, trading Greinke for Machado would be huge. The move would give fans hope again. Plus, if Milwaukee somehow manages to re-sign Greinke, who is destined to be a free agent at the end of this year, the trade for Machado could go down as one the best in MLB history.

The Baltimore Orioles have what the Brewers need and vice versa.

The Orioles, who are second in the American League East, have sent down three of their five starting pitchers. They need help and Greinke would absolutely give them that.

The question is, will the Orioles part with their prized prospects for a former Cy Young winner?

The Brewers can only hope so.