Sunday’s trade of Zack Greinke to the Milwaukee Brewers makes it more likely than ever that Carl Pavano will re-sign with the Minnesota Twins.

The Brewers had been in contact recently with Pavano’s agent, Tom O’Connell, but the Greinke trade satisfied their need for a top-of-the-rotation starter.

Meanwhile, sources say the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals – who had attempted to acquire Greinke – haven’t seriously pursued Pavano. (It’s possible they will change their approach and bid on Pavano now that Greinke is off the board.)

The Twins have a desperate need for rotation help. Their lack of an ace was evident in their first-round playoff exit, and starters Nick Blackburn and Scott Baker underwent off-season elbow surgeries.

Pavano, 34, led the Twins with 17 victories this year, while maintaining a 3.75 ERA over 221 innings.

— Jon Paul Morosi