The Brewers plan to make another attempt at extending Zack Greinke this year, but if talks don't progress they may have to consider trade offers for the former Cy Young Award winner. Greinke, who's on track to hit free agency after the season, would be one of the best pitchers available if the Brewers decide to sell. Here are the latest rumors surrounding Greinke with the most recent rumors up top:
- The Brewers have a special assignment scout watching the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets. The scout is not there on routine coverage, which raises the possibility that the Brewers are taking stock of the Rangers’ system in anticipation of possible trades.
- The Braves are believed to be seriously considering a trade for Greinke even if they don’t have assurances of keeping him beyond 2012, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. O’Brien doubts the Braves would offer Greinke $20MM per season on an extension.
- A former teammate of Greinke’s told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the right-hander would like to play for the Braves. Greinke likes Atlanta and wants to win badly, according to Greinke’s friend. The Braves, who have lost four of their past five games, haven’t yet decided how aggressively to pursue upgrades in midseason trades.
- The Braves are willing to trade young arms for Greinke, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday.
Make it happen, Frank Wren.
It really depends on what the Brewers want in return and/or if they think that getting some draft picks would be worth more than what the Braves had to offer. I really want Grienke in Atlanta, but unless we give up some guys that we consider untouchable, and also have Greinke pretty much guarantee that he wants to stay long term, I don’t see it happening.
Its not a question of a Braves offer vs Draft Picks. Its a question of a Braves offer versus what other teams will be willing to give up. Grienke will cost a lot.
Well yeah, that too. I think Greinke would certianly prefer Atlanta and I think that will have something to do with it… Not saying the Brewers just bend over backwards and give Zach what he wants, but it has to be part of the equation.
I agree, but other than Simmons and Teheran, who do they really consider untouchable at this point? Maybe Bethancourt? The system is deep enough that they could give up a young, promising arm (think Minor, Delgado, or Gilmartin) and a lower-level position player if it meant Greinke was fronting the rotation for the rest of the season (and possibly longer.)
Bethancourt is OPSing .557 this season. Who is going to want him?
And despite that, he’s been named to the AA All-Star game at age 20. Kind of makes you think there might be more to his game than that OPS, huh? Defensively, he’s considered MLB-ready at this point and might have the strongest throwing arm of any catcher at any level.
I think it would take a far more substantial package to get it done. Minor/Delgado/Gilmartin and a lesser guy is what you give up for a #3 SP with limited upside when trying to stabalize your rotation. Greinke is a top 10 SP in the game. He would require a minimum of Teheran and another one of the arms IMO. And don’t go all silly Braves homer on me; nobody else values these kids as high as they did a year ago. Value has decreased on all of them, the Braves missed their one opportunity to sell high, now it’ll take a far more substantial package, probably with another B/B+ type to get it done. think Delgado, Minor, plus
But you are forgetting 2 things: 1) It’s a 1/2 year rental and 2) The draft compensation has changed, so that the Braves don’t get what teams used to get when a type A FA walks.
and you are also forgetting two things:
1. 2 wildcards. More contenders and fewer sellers. Less available pitching. More demand for available pitching.
2. Wildcard means one game playoff. Having an ace in the hole for a one game playoff is immensely valuable— even moreso than having one for a 5-7 game set.
It will take Teheran, Delgado or Gilmartin and there top SS prospect not named Simmons.
I was mostly referring to Simmons. In a blockbuster deal, he is the one piece that I see teams wanting in return. Everyone else, aside from Teheran, clubs will really only see as filler.
Bethancourt is advancing because of his arm alone. He needs more time in the lower levels to fix his bat. He’s overmatched right now offensively.
I figured you were. Cripes, I’d hate to see that kid get traded. I’ve been waiting for a long-term answer at shortstop since Furcal left, and I think Simmons could be it.
NO, winning 2 games out of 5 is not getting us to the playoffs. with grienke and hanson as our only real pitchers, we would take the short end. JJ, hudson,delgado does not assure us anything. sheets will get bombed and be gone in august.
Hudson doesn’t really belong in the same category as JJ, Minor and Delgado. He can scrap, even with the bad ankle.
But you’re right, we still need more starting pitching.
I really think the Sheets signing will work out for Atlanta. This could be his big comeback. I don’t think anyone expects him to pitch 230 innings and rack up 220 Ks. But he’s going to be effective at getting guys out and giving this Atlanta rotation some innings down the stretch. He doesn’t have to throw shut outs everynight. He just needs to produce an ERA less than 6.00 to be an improvement. He’ll probably be in the low 4.00s, which will be a big boost to the Braves.
Pull the trigger, Frank.
NO! frank! dont sell the farm for one horse, remember the TEX trade!
Orioles would be a perfect fit for him.
Straight up for Machado, or Schoop plus others, and he’s all yours!
Obviously, Machado and Bundy are off the table. Schoop is another story. You have to give something to get something. But a top 10 prospect for a pitcher hitting free agency isn’t going to happen. The Brewers didn’t even give up a prospect of quite that magnitude for him in the first place.
Schoop would have to be packaged with at least a couple of other guys though, and with the way Baltimore’s farm looks, I’m not sure where else Milwaukee would want to go. I’d think if Greinke could help guide Baltimore back to the postseason this year, most fans would be happy to pay price of Machado… or maybe that’s just me coming from a Brewers fan perspective. I know I don’t regret losing Lawrie, Odorizzi, Escobar, etc. for the playoff run last year. Also, while Escobar’s stock had fallen after a weak rookie campaign, he was a, if not the, top rated SS prospect in the game a year previous to the deal.
I hope the players the Brewers are looking at include Minor and Venters.
Guys who are regressing? Yeah I’m sure the Brewers are all about that.
ESPN told me he is going to the brooklyn nets.
Him and Ryan Howard, right?
As a KC fan who has seen Zack pitch many times, I think he would be a perfect fit for Atlanta. I hope they get it done, I want to see him pitch in a World Series some day
Sincerely,
Dayton Moore
I would think a package would have to be headlined by either Teheran or Minor + Gilmartin/Graham, then add in two of Salcedo/Pastornicky/Bethancourt/Drury/La Stella/Terdoslavich
Of the hitters, Bethancourt/La Stella still have shots to take over for McCann/Uggla, Pastornicky/Terdoslavich are blocked by Simmons/Freeman, and Drury/Salcedo will battle to replace Chipper.
I’d say Pastornicky is a definite, plus one Drury/Salcedo, and possibly Terdoslavich. They could offer Teheran, Pastornicky, and Drury … Brewers probably counter by asking for Salcedo instead of Drury … Braves re-counter with their original offer plus Terdoslavich … I could see that happening.
Terdoslavich, Drury, and Pastornicky are pretty much non-prospects. Doubt Brewers will want any of them.
I would say that all are still prospects, their stock is just down … Pastornicky was rushed to the majors – give him a season in AAA and he can be an average big league shortstop (of which there aren’t more than 10). Drury and Terdo are both having down years but Drury is young and Terdo has shown he can hit at AA.
You have to look at what a 1/2 season of an ace usually brings:
Lee (a pair of B+/B pitchers, a pair of B-/C+ hitters)
CC (A hitter, B-/C+ hitter, filler)
Lee again (A hitter, B-/C+ pitcher, filler).
If you want a stud prospect (Teheran) you’re probably only getting one decent prospect and a couple fringe guys back with him.
No freaking way the Brewers get that much for 2 months of Greinke. No GM is that stupid.
Even though three GM’s in the past got packages equal to or better than that for 2 months of their aces?
I didn’t mention Randy Johnson (Freddy Garcia, John Halama, Carlos Guillen) or Freddy Garcia himself (top 5 prospect in baseball Jeremy Reed, Miguel Olivo, and Mike Morse).I think it’s doable; that’s what an ace costs at the deadline.
The Rangers probably control the action with Mike Olt, though. Both teams offering a rental-ace (Brewers/Phillies) would love to get an ML-ready long term third baseman.
Right, but GMs in the past knew they’d get draft pick compensation when a two-month rental left in free agency.
Sure. Back when they got compensation picks for the guy they overpaid for leaving at the end of the year.
Nick Amhed is the one I’d ask for if I were the Brewers, not Pastornicky
Teheran, Delgado, Vizcaino, Minor, etc are a nice stable of youth but none have been overly impressive so far and the Braves have definitely missed their window to sell high on any of them. That said, they all still have significant value as young potential SPs with plus talent. I think something like Teheran, Minor, and a lesser piece would be adequate compensation. Unfortunately for the Braves they’re about a year too late to create a package focused around just 1 of these guys. It’s the year of the pitcher and so many guys have stepped up and had unbelieveable success, but none of those have been among these once vaunted Braves prospects. Any combination should be sufficeint, though.
The Orioles seem like a very good match as well. Lower pressure, definitely have a need, definitely have the money; the only issue is compensation. Teams want Machado or Bundy; but that’s not happening unless a true superstar everyday player is involved, imo. I think the Orioles could put together a fine package with some combination of Schoop, Bridwell, Klein, Schrader or could perhaps include Matusz (who has quickly fallen out of favor; which only goes to show – since he was considered a far superior prospect to all the above Braves SPs – that prospects are just prospects), Tillman, Arrieta, or Britton.
Either one of these teams has more than enough to get it done as the Brewers will likely be in sell mode and it’s unlikely some of the big market teams will be in on Greinke, limiting his value just a tad, and allowing teams like the O’s or Braves to make their best offers a bit less shiny and with a bit more confidence. This is all just speculation of course. I think the Braves should be considered the favorite while the O’s should be considered his best match.
Considering what Tex traded for Lee, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that a deal could focus around Teheran, and that was with FA compensation.
It’d be something like Teheran plus 2 B/C level prospects and a throw in.
unless of course something important has changed since the lee trade
You mean like FA compensation? Yeah I know. That’s why it makes sense that it would only take one premium prospect.
forgive me, i was skimming dan’s wall-o’-text so aggressively that i skimmed your comment with it
The Braves aren’t the only team who could trade for him. The Orioles, Pirates, Dodgers, and DBacks are all obvious fits. I know the Dodgers are big market, but West coast big market isn’t anything like East coast big market. And as usual there are going to be a couple nobody really thought of involved too.
Ahmed/pastornicky/delgado/hale should get it done.
If we pull this off and it includes Pastornicky I’ll bet we’ll stop hearing all of those loud-mouthed Blue Jays fans going on about how they won the AGonz/Escobar trade.
I saw a tweet the other day where Toronto is starting to sour on Yunel. lol If it is true, we won’t be hearing much from the Blue Jays fans on that subject.
Yunel has much better control of the strike zone than he is showing right now. I wonder if he’s getting home-run hungry up in Toronto. That’s what sent him on a downward spiral in Atlanta (plus his showiness that didn’t sit well with Cox and some lack of hustle) But he’s a better hitter when he stays within himself.
I don’t think that you (or anyone) will ever stop hearing from Jays fans about the trades that AA has won.
At least we Ranger fans can bring up the Napoli trade and get them all fussy.
Why? Because Mike Napoli had one great year, followed by this less than mediocre one? Don’t count those chickens
Even if that one excellent year is the only time he’s ever any good (which is arguable), they got it for Frank Francisco. That’s a win.
Unless you take into account the compensation pick and the future salary for Napoli that will be paid based on a career second half he had. Oh and the jays are pretty good at the catcher position going forward and EE aint to shabby for DH. So, there is all of that. But hey, whatever makes you feel good at the end of the day!
Because I sound so upset? If I have 8 starting pitchers and deal one because I need a RF, and I end up getting an above average RF but the guy I traded wins the Cy Young or something, does that make it ok even if I still have plenty of starting pitchers? And the money Napoli will or will not be making has absolutely nothing to do with how good or bad the trade was.
It is so much less of a big deal than you’re acting like. The Jays didn’t mortgage their future, they didn’t just miss the playoffs because of the trade, and there are pretty much zero long term consequences on either side. They just gave up more talent than they got back. It happens.
see how fussy they get? It’s great, I tell ya!! hahah
I’m fine with Napoli when in his ‘less than mediocre’ years he puts up double Arencibia’s WAR total.
Anthopolous: The Greek God of Fifth Place
The Rangers will have the chance to top any offer.
It will take Teheran, Delgado or Gilmartin and there top SS prospect not named Simmons.
Ahmed
The Brewers would be smart to trade Greinke soon, and get something for him if he will not sign an extention. It sounds like the Braves would be a good option in that Minor, Teheran, and Delgado are good possible trade peices.
The Braves are not going to sacrifice too much of their future for a possible 2 month rental. Look at the Carlos Beltran-Zack Wheeler deal. Most people will agree the Giants vastly overpaid even for that one-to-one swap. Add in the fact that the Braves will receive no draft compensation if he walks, how do you guys think the braves are giving away 3 of their top ten prospects for a guy who only has a limited amount of places he can go….I think a minor/delgado and spurill/lipka should be more than enough.
Then you would think wrong…
Care to say why? That would be close to what Texas gave up for Lee and that came with FA compensation. For everyone complaining about Braves fans overvaluing prospects, people tend to be overvaluing six months of Greinke with no compensation if he leaves.
we as braves fans need to accept the fact that we cant make a run for a div. title. we just dont have the horses to get it done, our bench is pathetic, our relief corp is in shambles, mcann and uggla is hitting 200 each, our power is gone, our starting pitching has to be revamped. I feel we should just stand pat with what we have, wait for next year after chipper,bourn,hanson,hudson,diaz,wilson,hinske,are gone, and after we trade uggla,mcann,venters,hanson,hudson, sheets move prado to second, sign headley, quentin,buy 3 pitchers and bring up durango for center, mejia for the bench, pastor, felix pie, and get two or more utility guys. Look to 2013, this season is shot. texas says” remember the alamo” braves say “remember the tex. trade!”
What?
i want whatever that guy is on.
I don’t. I’ll sip my Purple thanks.
Wow. Have you been playing a little too much PS3?
Who would want to build around Hanson, McCann and Uggla. Those players blow.
wait and see, when fredi and frank is dumped at the end of this season, things will change dramatically, we will have a whole new look next year.
when fredi and frank are gone at the end of this season, the braves will take on a whole new look. prado will be at second, we will have a new CF,LF,3rd baseman. management will want hudson out and hanson traded. Mcann gone at the break next year, bourn gone also along with diaz,hinske,wilson. Juan will stay until he proves he cant handle 3rd at ST. Cunningham or durango can win CF or CF backup.
1. Hanson isn’t going anywhere. He isn’t eligible for free agency for 3 more years.
2. Brian McCann is not going to be traded unless it is at the all-star break next year and the Braves are way out of contention (don’t count on it).
3. Prado will move to 3B next season if Idiot Wren doesn’t trade him first.
4. The Braves will go all out to re-sign Bourn this winter.
4. Durango is terrible.
5. Pie is terrible.
6. The season doesn’t look good right now but an ace pitcher and an upgrade for the bench would go a long ways towards fixing the team.
I don’t think Braves will extend Bourn.
The sooner the Brewers make him available the more valuable he is to the winning bidder because he will give them more starts.
DOB–beat writer for braves answered in a tweet earlier one of the three–tehran/minor/ delgado and a position player could possibly get the deal done but who knows. I would think Atlanta/Texas or anybody would want a window to see if they can extend him before a trade
You know, the more I think about this from Atlanta’s perspective, it would be really nice to have Greinke, but we can probably generate more overall wins simply by replacing Delgado and/or Minor with 2 established starters and we wouldn’t we betting what little farm we have left on one guy who might possibly not stay with us past 2 months. We could then go after him in the offseason, if he doesn’t sign and extension with his new team.
That might be the best play for the Braves, especially if the Sheets signing works out, which I honestly think it will.
Skip Greinke now, sign one or two innings eaters for the rest of the year, and make a run at Grienke in the offseason. Hell, even if we can’t get him, that’s just more money to spend on some real offense.
Why do you want to replace Delgado? For a rookie he has been pitching fine, Minor is the one you’d want to replace.
Not a lot of “innings eaters” available in free agency in the middle of the year….
its safe not to part with top prospects but Atlanta limits its playoff potential without a topend starter. You need someone who can go in there and win a game himself.
Teheran, Minor, Pastornicky, and mid-level prospect for Greinke with an extension.
Minor, Delgado, or Teheran(pick only one), Salcedo, and Pastornicky without an extension.
The Brewers know the new CBA will be a deterrant for opposing teams offers without an extension. Brewers will dump him before standing the chance of zero compensation for an Ace SP.
The brewers get the comp picks if they keep him as they will tender him so any offer has to be better than the picks so actually yes they have leverage comp picks are still in the new cba if the player plays the whole season with a team so if offers are not sky High they will keep him for the picks and ticket sales just because the braves wouldnt get picks doesn’t mean the brewers wouldn’t!!! And why would they want minor as the center piece??? Grienke an ace for a touted prospect that has struggled this year….. See the problem here bud 🙂
As a life long Rangers fan, it is awesome to finally have a team that gets what it wants. JD has built a great farm system which enables him to get the players he wants. It’s time to turn some of that high end talent into a true ace.
The top pitcher market seems to be Greinke, Hamels, Rodriquez, Garza and Dempster right now. The teams with the best minor league talent and will be looking for pitching help are the Jays #1, Rangers #3, Cards #5, Braves #8, Red Sox #11. and Yanks #16. The Angels #18, O’s #19, Dodgers #22, Detriot #23 are also possibilities. Since their will be no draft picks for anyone other than Garza and Rodriquez there value will not be as great as in the past. 2 good prospects will be all teams are going to get for these pitchers for the most part.
Greinke would be sweet he would deff look good in ATL if he signed long term with all the money coming off the books Lowe and Chipper there would be enogh for say 16-18 mill range for Greinke and 10 for Bourn but i think Bourn is gone much as I would hate to see him go justdepends on asking price I guess and how the Brewers rank the pitching specs and other parts we would have to move. Make it happen Wren and sign him to a long term deal.
16-18 per is not getting the extention done that’s what the brewers are rumored to be offering and he likes Milwaukee so it’s going to take a Matt Cain deal
he wont get 20 plus mill
I want to see the Cardinals go for Greinke, give up a good pitching prospect and some high picks for a chance to repeat with Greinke to solidify the rotation
pray to based god this happens
Greinke makes his home in Orlando and the Braves spring train in Orlando. That is big in Atlanta’s favor. Git r done Frank Wren.
ChiSox need to trade for him. We have Humber and Danks on DL
To those mentioning the Orioles as a possibility, they worry me. Obviously Machado isn’t going anywhere, and Jon Schoop is certainly a highly rated prospect, but can he play SS? He was moved from SS, I believe he’s playing 2B. Is that because he can’t handle SS, or because of Machado? If he can play a good SS, then I think he’d be a very good starting piece to a Greinke trade. But, what then? Guys like Matusz, Tillman, Britton? are they still valued right now after their performances? If not, then do you go with guys like Oliver Drake or Bobby Bundy? And then one of L.J. Hoes or Xavier Avery? I mean, outside of Schoop, I’m not sure that the O’s have enough to appease the Brewers.
grienke isnt cc or lee not even in the same class
mmmmmmmmmm yea he is, the definition of close
I don’t understand why the Tex trade still haunts us. Ya i know what we gave up but its dont like Tex didnt live up to it. When that deal was made we were 3.5 games out. It was a big spark for our offense. Now instead of Feliz we have Kimbrel(imagining Feliz would have been our closer), Simmons instead of Andrus, and Hanson instead of Harrison. Salty was blocked so unless you move him to first you have Freeman. My only regrets, it didnt put us in the playoffs and we got nothing in return in the trade with the Angels. Long Story Short, make a trade if you think that player makes a difference in contending for the wild card to contending for the divison and eventually a championship. Go Braves!