MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Zack Greinke Destinations That Are a Better Fit Than NY
The talks about Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke are starting to heat up as KC has mentioned that they are willing to trade him, given the right price.
With the MLB winter meetings starting today, the talks and rumors will be flying for awhile until one team is satisfied.
The Yankees are one of those teams that has been very interested in the former Cy Young award winner's services and as usual, they have not been very shy about it.
There are also many other teams other than New York that are interested in Greinke, and many of them would be better fits for Greinke than the pinstripes.
Texas Rangers
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The resurgent Rangers have already shown interest in Greinke, but many believe that it would depend on the what happens with ace Cliff Lee.
If Lee does decide to sign somewhere else, Greinke could easily be playing in Texas next season. They still might go after him even if Lee signs with the Rangers, because you can never have enough starting pitching these days.
With the Rangers making it to the World Series last season, Greinke could find instant success playing for a team on the rise like Texas.
San Francisco Giants
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With Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Zack Greinke, the Giants would have arguably the best rotation the game.
Not to mention that Greinke has dominated NL hitting throughout his career and the fact that the Giants did win a world title season.
The Giants would be the talk of the off-season if they were able to nab Greinke, and they would be wiser to go after the former first-round pick.
Cincinnati Reds
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The Reds have one of the youngest teams in the game and could use another starter to add to a talented rotation.
Ace Johnny Cueto is improving with each season and with an addition of Greinke, the Reds would be adding another perennial ace and the path to the NL Central title would be that much easier for '11 and beyond.
After all, Cincinnati needs to compete with the one-two starting combo of Carpenter and Wainwright for the division rival Cardinals, and Greinke could very well be that man.
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Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
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The Angels, like many other teams on this list, have been a consistent winner in recent years and they could use another solid starter in Zack Greinke.
A combo of Greinke and Jeff Weaver at the top of the rotation could be deadly, and it is exciting to think about.
Greinke has stated that he would like to play for a winner and the Angels would provide that for him, and he wouldn't have to wait seven years, like he has in Kansas City.
Washington Nationals
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The Nationals have an overall young pitching staff that is lead by highly touted prospect Stephen Strasburg.
With Strasburg not likely to return until 2012, the Nationals might look to Greinke to add some much-needed talent to an otherwise below-average starting rotation.
With the signing of Jayson Werth, can't-miss prospect Bryce Harper making his way up, and an emerging bullpen, Greinke could join the Nationals at the right time for both him and the club.
Philadelphia Phillies
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What team wouldn't want to have a one-two starting pitching punch of Roy Halladay and Zack Greinke?
That's surely what the Phillies had to be thinking when the Royals announced that they were listening to any trade offers for the former All-Star.
A Greinke addition would not only take more pressure off of Halladay, but also send fear through every hitter in the NL East who will face the Phillies next season.
Boston Red Sox
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Boston ace Josh Beckett had a disappointing '10 season, and the Sox could be looking for a player like Greinke could help bolster a somewhat average rotation.
Zack would have a much better offense supporting him, and from his struggles with run support in KC, this would be a huge positive for him.
The Red Sox have already shown that they are active in this off-season with the recent signing of Adrian Gonzalez, and Greinke could very well be one of the final pieces to their '11 championship puzzle.
Atlanta Braves
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Atlanta is starting to develop a young, talented team, and acquiring Greinke would make them a near lock to win their division in 2011.
The Braves already have veteran ace Tim Hudson and up-and-coming starters in Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson in their rotation, but the team has dealt with some injury problems in this department of late.
The Braves also won the wild-card last year and are a division contender nearly every year, which resembles a team that Greinke would want to join.
Oakland Athletics
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The A's have been a strong trade partner with the Royals in recent years, and GM Billy Beane has been known to make some big trades from time to time.
Greinke would add to an already young and improving rotation that includes Dallas Braden and Brett Anderson and it this point, Greinke is mainly looking for a change in venue from his current team.
He could also reunite with former Royals David DeJesus and Coco Crisp, which could make it better for for all parties.
Kansas City Royals
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Kansas City currently boasts one of the best farm systems in all of baseball, and it is only a matter of time before many of these players will be playing on the big league squad.
Grienke likely wants to play for a winning team, and the Royals have a chance to finally become that when their plethora of talent arrives in the majors soon.
The only question with this is how long they will take to get there and if Greinke is willing to wait it out in the end.
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