The latest on Greinke
The Blue Jays have contacted the Royals about a trade for right-hander Zack Greinke, and the Royals are intrigued by what the Jays might offer, according to major league sources.
Here’s the problem: The Jays are on Greinke’s no-trade list, meaning he can't be sent to Toronto without his permission.
That fact alone doesn't preclude a trade. Players frequently waive no-trade clauses, usually in exchange for some kind of contractual benefit.
Greinke, sources say, has told the Royals he's willing “to go anywhere.”
Other clubs, however, are skeptical of that stance.
“The rule of thumb is that if a player has a team on his no-trade list, it makes it less likely,” one rival general manager says.
Greinke, 27, has 15 teams on his no-trade list. The Rangers, Braves and Reds are among the clubs with possible interest in him that aren't on the list, sources say. Those teams would face no such obstacle in trading for the Royals ace.
The Jays possibly could land Greinke if they were willing to part with right-hander Kyle Drabek, outfielder Travis Snyder and another minor leaguer or two, according to the Toronto Sun.
Such a package would intrigue the Royals, sources say. But the Jays might not be ready to break up their emerging core of young pitchers to take a run at the postseason, even if they could persuade Greinke to join their club.
Greinke's signed for two more years at $13.5 million per season. He'll become a free agent after the 2012 season.
-Ken Rosenthal
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Getting Greinke would be a great move for the Jays, but not if they have to give up Drabek and Snider, among other prospects. Although his last 2 years have been inconsistent, I think Snider is primed to break out and reach his lofty potential in the near future. Drabek's raw stuff is almost as good as Greinke's, so why not stick with him and see if he can develop into the above average to near elite starter the Jays hope he'll be. If the Marcum trade does indeed go through, then Toronto could potentially parlay Brett Lawrie, along with Zach Stewart and some other decent young prospects, and hopefully the Royals will bite. I'm a huge Anthopoulos fan, and I've agreed with every move he's made so far (except for the Wallace-Gose deal, but that was more my initial reaction....after I heard AA's reasoning for the trade and saw Wallace struggle with Houston, I figured he knew what he was doing) but I would hate for Drabek and Snider to flourish in KC while Greinke gets hurt or regresses, and leaves as a free agent when his contract is up.
DREAM SCENARIO -- we get Greinke with the package I just mentioned and the starting 5 would consist of:
Z.Greinke
R.Romero
B.Morrow
B.Cecil
K.Drabek
The Blue Jays would have potentially the best staff 1 through 5 in all of baseball with the perfect mix of righties and lefties. -
KC would never consider a trade for Grienke without a blue chip starter. Talks would definitely have to begin with Drabek. Especially for 2 years from a 27 y/o Cy Young winner.
