MLB Trade Rumors: Milwaukee Brewers Not Confident in Re-Signing Zack Greinke

Coming into the All-Star break, word on the street was that the Milwaukee Brewers weren’t likely to re-sign star right-hander Zack Greinke to a contract extension.

The fact that the unrestricted free agent-to-be had not come to terms on a multiyear contract extension with the club early in the season said to many that he had doubts about staying in Milwaukee and that he probably had an interest in weighing his options as a free agent this winter.

Now, it appears that Milwaukee’s odds of bringing back the former Cy Young award winner have actually worsened.

Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio told Tom Haudricort of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Friday that he is not optimistic about signing Greinke to an extension prior to the July 31 trade deadline. In Attanasio’s own words:

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“When players get this close [to free agency], there’s not many that will sign, at that level. He’s a difference-maker to a team that’s got a chance to go to the postseason. Unless you’re raising the bar, you usually go on the market.”

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Of course, it should also be noted that general manager Doug Melvin told Haudricourt that his phone “isn’t ringing off the hook” with trade calls for Greinke.

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Contrary to popular belief, #Brewers GM Doug Melvin said his phone isn't ringing off hook with calls on Zack Greinke. bit.ly/NDquRM

— Tom (@Haudricourt) July 12, 2012"

Milwaukee brass has made it known that the outcome of the next few series will be of extreme importance as to the club’s intentions in the trade market this month.

Just eight games out of the lead for the division, the Brewers are by no means out of the hunt for the division title. However, they are also by no means looking the part of a club who’s bound for the postseason, division champions or not.

Milwaukee will start the second half of its 2012 schedule with a three-game set versus the division-leading Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park, immediately followed by another three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at home.

The Brewers then head to Cincinnati for a three-game set against the Reds, whom they have a 2-4 record against this season, scoring as many runs (22) as they have allowed (22).

• Update 7/14: Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Friday night that the Brewers are preparing to offer Greinke a contract extension supposedly worth $100 Million over five years, according to "a person familiar with their thinking".

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Alec Dopp covers the Milwaukee Brewers as a featured columnist at Bleacher Report.  Follow him on Twitter @alecdopp and read his blog, Brewers Rumors.