MLB Rumors: Best Potential Landing Spots for Brewers' Zack Greinke

Who needs a No. 1 starter down the stretch for their playoff run?

With the Milwaukee Brewers eight games back in the National League Central, the odds of them trading Zack Greinke continue to increase by the day.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has named the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers as the four teams that have expressed interest in the 28-year-old, who currently has a 9-3 record with a 3.32 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

I’ll eliminate the Orioles from the discussion as a free-fall in the standings seems to be on the horizon. Besides, with such a bright future, gutting the farm system for a player who will become a free agent at season's end is absurd.

But the other three teams will be in the playoff hunt at the end of July, and all of them desperately could use Greinke, who is set to become a free agent at seasons end.

So who has the best shot of landing the righty?

3. Rangers

Texas is loaded with players that would entice Milwaukee, but Rangers president Nolan Ryan all but told ESPNDallas.com that a blockbuster trade is not in the works before the deadline:

Do I really look for us to make a trade of the magnitude of the Cliff Lee deal two years ago? I'd be rather surprised if we did.

Unless an already injury-plagued staff suffers another devastating injury, odds are Greinke isn’t heading to Texas.

2. Braves

The Braves have been seeking pitching help ever since Brandon Beachy went down due to injury. Coupled with the woes of young starters Mike Minor and Randall Delgado, they desperately need another starter.

What could they offer Milwaukee?

Julio Teheran has shown flashes of brilliance in the minors, and currently projects as a strong middle-of -the-rotation starter. Aside from Teheran, 2011 top pick Sean Gilmartin is an intriguing lefty, JR Graham has received high marks and Zeke Spruill and Cody Martin are other pieces that could be thrown into a deal.

If the Brew Crew are looking for pitching depth, this is the team they should be dealing with.

1. Angels

Nobody has more trade chips to play with than the Angels right now.

With a ton of young talent now on board, outfielder Peter Bourjos and pitcher Garrett Richards make two intriguing pieces for Milwaukee.

The key is getting major league talent, as the Brewers are likely not going to start the rebuilding process over again with Ryan Braun on board. The Angels have decent pieces in their farm system, but would likely have to include the two big leaguers to entice Milwaukee and best the Braves offer.

The Angels can afford to re-sign Greinke to a new deal at the end of the year, and would have one of the best starting staffs in the game. Both Dan Haren ($15.5 million) and Ervin Santana ($13 million) have club options for next season, and odds are both will not be with the team next season.

They are certainly in the playoff mix, but with Greinke on board they turn into championship contenders. 

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