Milwaukee Brewers Reveal They Will Move Zack Greinke Before Trade Deadline

The Milwaukee Brewers ended what little suspense there was left regarding Zack Greinke’s future and confirmed that they will trade the pitcher.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Brewers general manager Doug Melvin decided to deal the team’s ace after getting swept in consecutive road series. Melvin said, “There are so many good things about him, it's going to be difficult when we trade him."

Greinke has been extremely productive this season. He is 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 123 innings. 

The Brewers, however, have not played well up until this point. The team is 44-53 and currently sits 13.5 games out of first place in the NL Central. 

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported on July 13 that Milwaukee was prepping a contract extension worth $100 million to try and keep Greinke, but never made anything official, as the right-hander is set on testing free agency.

This means that any team who trades for Greinke will risk losing him after the season, but that is unlikely to deter many suitors.

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that teams who have shown serious interest include the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels. Haudricourt goes on to list six other teams that could make a play for the pitcher. 

Greinke will be the most coveted pitcher available, and the 28-year-old could be the final piece his suitors need to make a championship run.

Talks over Greinke’s future will be the top storyline as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.