MLB Rumors: Breaking Down Best Trade Fits for Zack Greinke

Now we know Cole Hamels won't be moved, all eyes will be focused on Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke prior to the July 31 trade deadline. 

After losing their sixth straight game on Wednesday, the Brewers have to start looking towards the future, which Greinke is all but guaranteed to not be part of. 

According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, there are at least six teams with some level of interest in acquiring Greinke between now and July 31.

Those teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. 

With all those teams either in serious playoff contention or fooling themselves into thinking they are genuine contenders, the Brewers will certainly have their share of top prospects they can ask for in return. 

Here is a breakdown of the best trade fits for Greinke and the Brewers leading up to the trade deadline. 

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Baltimore Orioles

The fact that the Orioles have managed to remain over .500 this late in the season with a run differential of minus-57 is an accomplishment in itself. 

That they have done it with a patchwork rotation led by Wei-Yin Chen, who has been better than expected this season but is hardly a top-of-the-rotation arm that is going to carry a team into the postseason, is even more impressive. 

Despite the fact that the Orioles have two top-tier prospects to entice the Brewers—namely Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy—there is no way the Orioles trade either one for two months of Greinke. 

The Brewers would love to work with the Orioles, but this is a bad fit for so many reasons. Not the least of which is the Orioles aren't real contenders. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

I still believe the Dodgers are the third-best team in the National League West, as I keep waiting for Arizona to hit its stride even though it seems increasingly unlikely given injuries to their staff and poor performances from key players like Justin Upton. 

That being said, the Dodgers are contenders in the division. They made a move that will bolster their offense earlier this week by acquiring Hanley Ramirez from Miami and are in the market for a starter. 

Like the Orioles, the Dodgers don't boast a deep system, and their top prospect (Zach Lee) isn't close to the same level as Machado or Bundy, so I can't see the Brewers finding a fit with them. 

I'm sure Greinke would love to pitch in the National League West because the lineups are so bad, but for the Brewers there does not seem to be a strong fit here. 

Chicago White Sox

As thin as the Dodgers' and Orioles' farm systems are, the White Sox are trying to crawl out of a black hole that has left them with the worst system in baseball. 

General manager Kenny Williams is not a fan of building through a system. He wants veterans who can contribute now, therefore trading almost all of his minor league assets. 

Their best prospect is Courtney Hawkins, who was just drafted one month ago and has played 29 games in rookie ball. 

Haudricourt's report even says that "there has been speculation that a third team would have to be included in any swap." 

It is not impossible for the White Sox to strike a deal, but it is going to be very difficult. Again, Greinke would thrive in this division, just as he did when he pitched for the Royals, going against Cleveland, Minnesota and Kansas City. 

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels boast some prospects that could intrigue the Brewers. The Angels have a great defensive center fielder in Peter Bourjos, who is expendable because some guy named Mike Trout is just as capable of playing center and is a far better hitter. 

Haudricourt's report also says the Angels have tried to trade Garrett Richards in different deals with no takers thus far. He also says the Brewers "would much prefer shortstop prospect Jean Segura."

Segura was recently called up, so the Brewers would know they are at least getting one big league-ready prospect in a deal. He does have a long injury history, having played in less than 100 games in 2009 and 2011, and never playing more than 130 games. 

The Angels were supposed to have one of the best rotations in baseball, but Ervin Santana has been a mess, and Dan Haren hasn't been himself and just returned from the disabled list. If not for Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, this rotation would be in a lot of trouble. 

I would like to see Greinke stabilize a volatile situation in Los Angeles. Segura has the upside of a high average, high stolen base guy with above-average defense, so there could be a package built around him. 

Atlanta Braves

The final two teams on the list boast the best potential package for the Brewers. 

Starting with the Braves, they have good depth in the minors, with a lot of intriguing arms for the Brewers to look at. 

Julio Teheran's stock has taken a hit because of his inability to command his fastball and tendency to give up the long ball, but he is still just 21 years old in Triple A and not that far removed from being one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. 

Randall Delgado, who according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com was reportedly the pitcher the Braves were offering the Cubs in exchange for Ryan Dempster, is another name to keep an eye on. He doesn't have as much upside as Teheran, but his floor is higher. 

I would expect the Brewers to try to build a package around at least one of those two, if they try to make a deal with Atlanta. Haudricourt writes that the Brewers "are thought to rank Teheran first and probably would want another prospect as well."

Texas Rangers

Finally, we come to the biggest fish in the pond. 

Everyone expects the Rangers to make a deal for a starting pitcher, the only question is, who will it be?

They certainly have the prospects to make a trade with anyone. According to ESPN's Jim Bowden via Twitter, Rangers manager Ron Washington has said the team would consider trading anyone except stud shortstop Jurickson Profar:

"

Ron Washington told us that Profar is going nowhere but everyone else has to be considered in deal even for a rental this is their WS window

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) July 22, 2012"

The one name that has everyone talking is Mike Olt. The power-hitting third baseman is tearing up Double-A, with 26 home runs and a .976 OPS, and is not that far from the big leagues. 

Given that the Brewers have the human statue known as Aramis Ramirez currently playing third base, there is certainly a need at the position. 

The Rangers would present Greinke with an opportunity to impact a pennant race down the stretch and another chance to compete in October for a championship. They are the best fit for the star right-hander. All that remains is whether or not they want him or someone else.