MLB Trade Rumors: How and Why the Chicago White Sox Will Get Zach Greinke

The Chicago White Sox are in need of pitching help for the march to the postseason.  This much is certain, and given that the window for winning with this roster is limited, now is the time to go all in.

While relief pitching seems as though it would have more of an impact, there is no doubt that general manager Kenny Williams wants a starter. And, what Williams wants, Williams gets.

Several names are being bandied about as potential targets as the July 31 non-waiver wire trade deadline approaches.  Quality starters like Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, and Zach Greinke, along with back-of-the-rotation guys like Kevin Millwood and Clayton Richards, are available for the right price.

For the White Sox, the choice is clear.

Forget about those other names and go with Greinke.  Dempster and Garza are out or their price range, and what the Sox currently have is better than Millwood or Richards.

So, here is a feasible way to get Greinke without letting go of one of the rookie relievers in the bullpen; instead, put Gavin Floyd front and center.

The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers wrote Wednesday that Chicago’s “best offer would be one built around Floyd and minor league prospects.”  He included Charlie Leesman, along with shortstops Eduardo Escobar and Tyler Saladino as compliment pieces.  That is a solid mix of major league talent and potential for the Brewers that also improves the Sox immediately.

Floyd, on the DL retroactive until July 8—or potentially Dylan Axelrod—along with two of the names Rogers mentioned, should be appealing enough for the Milwaukee Brewers to pull the trigger.

While the knock on Greinke has been that he does not handle the bright lights very well, the more the numbers are researched, the less believable that becomes.  While he did not perform very well in the postseason, he did go 8-2 in August and September last year as the Brewers were securing a playoff spot. 

Further, he has experience in the AL Central, highlighted by an 11-6 record with a 2.84 ERA against the Detroit Tigers. That will prove valuable during the division race, and rivals the success that Floyd has found against them. 

Finally, Greinke seems to work out of trouble better and stays out of the big inning.  That is the biggest problem with Floyd.  He unravels and will give up three runs in an instant, putting the offense in an almost unwinnable situation.  His tendency to let games get away will not work for the Sox as the season progresses.

Bottom line is that Greinke feels like a better fit as the number-four starter in the rotation.

Sure, Floyd has pitched well lately.  That means he has the most value now.  With potentially two more starts before the deadline, the White Sox would be wise to use Floyd as the centerpiece in a deal for Greinke.