You would be getting a SS (Escobar), the Braves best prospect, a catcher with power, and a starting pitcher.

Keep in mind, this is more than was being offered by the Braves for Jake Peavy, which is why I doubt its veracity.

Watch they'll take some of the shittier Braves prospects it'll be like that trade for Kyle Davies.

I know what you're saying. Pujols is a strange example. I wouldn't factor his defensive production into your argument b/c of the position that he plays and the fact that he would be easily replaceable in this capacity. His AB's on the other hand, are completely other-worldly. Plus, it's almost impossible to determine his greater impact on the game (being pitched around, making opponents piss themselves, etc.)

If we're getting Pujols, by all means, sign me up five times. If we're netting "nice" players for potential dominance, I'd say no.

That said, this is the type of risk that a team like the Royals must be willing to make.

Looks good on paper.

Part of me has to fight a knee-jerk reaction of, once again, watching the teams top home-grown talent walk. Just once, one ****ing time, I'd like to see an important re-signing. Ideally when it isn't a ****ing DH.

A home-team discount? Beautiful.

There was an article on DrivelineMechanics.com about him that really charted the path of him and CC Sabathia... showing Greinke to be ahead, especially when you consider how young he is.

They brought their site into SBNation.com and don't have the archived posts up.

Here is one without the pics

http://kyleboddy.com/2008/04/10/pitc...s-zack-greinke

Hamas has this pegged....that's a HUGE haul for Grienke, which is what it would take at this point for Moore to move him IMO. I'm doubtful the Braves would deplete their system like this for one player at this point....seems to run contrary to their current strategy. Lots of talk around this same group of players in relation to the Peavy sweepstakes. I believe Flowers has been lighting it up in winter ball, making him that much more attractive.

Yunel, Gorkys, and an arm is a pretty good haul for Greinke.

Unreal deal, if true.

BTW, the Davies deal was a good one as well. Getting any sort of prospect for an injured rental is good.

Atlanta won't do this deal.

NO WAY Zach brings back this bounty

Catcher Brian McCann
First Base Mark Teixeira
Second Base Kelly Johnson
Third Base Jon Gilmore
Shortstop Yunel Escobar
Left Field Jason Heyward
Center Field Jordan Schafer
Right Field Jeff Francouer
No. 1 Starter Tim Hudson
No. 2 Starter Jair Jurrjens
No. 3 Starter Cole Rohrbough
No. 4 Starter Jeff Locke
No. 5 Starter Jo-Jo Reyes
Closer Rafael Soriano

This is the projected 11 starting Braves line-up.

Schafer is not ready for the bigs. He missed a good chunk of the 2008 season because of a 50-game suspension for HGH and he just left the Navojoa Mayos of the Mexican Pacific League (Winter Ball) due to a finger injury.

Schafer has Grady Sizemore-type tools, but he's not a polished product.

Is this actually new info? Greinke to Atlanta has been a rumor for the last few weeks, and that package you mention has also been the rumor.

Anyways, this would be a good haul for Greinke if he's really not interested in signing a deal now. If we wait too long, we end up pulling a Cleveland and only getting one good prospect for our ace (Sabathai for LaPorta).

Still, I have a very hard time believing Atlanta would give up this much for two years of Greinke when they wouldn't do it for four years of Peavy. Doesn't make sense.

http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com/hotstove.html

The trade of Zack Greinke and the Royals 2012 revised line up:


Right now...the Royals have a problem. A problem that includes the best young pitcher that the Royals have developed since Kevin Appier. Zack Greinke is an amazing pitcher, and I believe he will be mentioned in the same breath as the game's elite in 2 or 3 years. He is young and has a non-violent delivery which would make you believe that he will have a long successful career in the game. But, and i think it is a big BUT he has issues that the rest of the league and the fans in Kansas City know about. (I believe he is a great guy and has grown past his problems) He has openly said he will entertain the opportunity to venture to greater chipotles when he is eligible for free agency. Does this scare you Royals fan? It is one think to say "how could we develop another young player only to lose him" But, it is unfortunately part of the game. A part of the game that you can use to your advantage if you can bring the right blend of players in return. Royal’s fans have not seen the right blend yet....but Dayton Moore is not Allard Baird.

http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...ic/grienke.JPG

A team that makes a lot of sense for the right arm of Greinke is the Atlanta Braves....and while you read about the players that could land in KC for Greinke i want you to ask yourself this....if the Royals do not trade Zack and you take a look at these 4 players in say 2010...will you say "man, i wish the Royals had these guys"

OF Gorkys Hernandez or Jordan Schafer (who do you like better- Schafer could use another season at AAA but is pretty close. Crisp allows the Royals to get Schafer his at bats in Omaha....Hernandez is close but not as close and would need a year at AA ball.....)

http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...ic/schafer.jpg
CF Jordan Schafer: 22 year old LH hitting OF from Winter Haven, Fla. He was suspended for HGH use at the beginning of the 2008 season and did struggle in 2008 but scouts will tell you his game is still very complete. He has a cannon for an arm and is plus in every category. He was the Braves #1 prospect in 2008 and the 25th best prospect in baseball. He would have the same problem the rest of the Royals have as he still needs to take more walks. Career .270 hitter with a .339 obp and 786 ops. I have told u before minor league numbers is not the true measuring stick...they are important but project-ability is what gets scouts geeked about a player, and scouts are certainly geeked about Jordan.

http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com.../hernandez.jpg
CF Gorkys Hernandez 21 year old RH CF acquired by the Braves from the Tigers prior to 2008...was the Tigers 5th best prospect prior to 2008 and the games 92nd best prospect. He is a speedy CF with projectable pop. He is a .288 hitter with a 348 .obp and 751 ops.

)http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...ic/escobar.jpg
SS Yunel Escobar....the absolute key to the deal...without him you don't even entertain this deal. 2009 will be his 3rd big league season and already he has hit 303 with a .373 obp in 833 at bats. Great range at SS with solid command of the strike zone he is a potential all star and would allow "everyone favorite success story" Mike Aviles over to 2B. * Aviles can handle SS but Escobar-Aviles-Hosmer sounds really nice in 2011.

http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...atic/reyes.jpg
Jo Jo Reyes LH 24 years old...the major league numbers are not pretty...but lefties take time to develop. 5-13 with a 5.94 e.r.a. will make you go screaming to message boards about how awful this guy is...but, 378 strike outs and 145 walks in 384 minor league innings should give you hope. He is young and has pitched just over one full season in the bigs.

http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...e%20morton.jpg
Charlie Morton RH 24 years old. Morton got a taste of big league life in 2008 going 4-8 with a 6.15 e.r.a. in 75 innings. However, look past his rookie campaign to these numbers 5-2 2.05 in 2008 at AAA with 72 k's in 79 ip. He was the taste of the town in the Arizona Fall League in 2007 and many believe he is a front line SP.


http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...atic/locke.jpg
Jeff Locke LH The Braves 2nd round pick in 2006 Has fantastic control and a live arm plus will be 21 in 2009. He would probably pitch at high A next season and be a part of one of the best crop of young pitching prospects in the game.


The Wild Card:
http://www.lighthittinginfielder.com...c/tflowers.jpg
C Tyler Flowers...big powerful catcher that can handle the defensive responsibilities that the "tools of ignorance" require. However, he has also played quite a bit of 1B...he would have to be a catcher to come here (the weakest position in the organization) 17 home runs last season at high A with close to 100 walks. He has everything that you would want in a hitting prospect (the fact he is a catcher is a bonus)

Here is the offer ( I did not create this so thanks to Bill Shanks from braves.com for the original idea...)
CF Schafer, SS Escobar, P Reyes, and C Flowers for Greinke
Braves fans might tell you that we are crazy for suggesting this...Royals fans might say we are crazy for suggesting this....I say...do it and have players here that will be part of the REAL "next generation" of Royals the team led by veteran Alex Gordon and young stars Moustakas, Hosmer and the perennial all star Yunel Escobar...along with the best young rotation in baseball (does this sound like a team that won the AL championship in 2008)
so you did not like the 2012 future line up by Baseball America???....try this one on.
C Tyler Flowers
1B Eric Hosmer
2B Johnny Giavatella
SS Yunel Escobar
3B Mike Aviles (I know how much you love you some Aviles, so he can start at 3B on this team)
LF Alex Gordon
CF Jordan Schafer
RF Mike Moustakas
DH Kia K'aaihuie (Billy has been traded...judgment call)
bench: C Jose Bonilla 1b/3b/lf Jason Taylor, 2b/SS Jeff Bianchi, OF Derrick Robinson
P Dan Cortes
P Jo Jo Reyes
P Danny Duffy
P Mike Montgomery
P Daniel Gutierrez (this is pretty damn good)
* Melville is almost ready...other pitching prospects are around or have been traded to further upgrade the ML roster or depth in the minors...a good problem to have)
Bullpen
closer: Soria
set up: Rosa
set up: Blake Wood
set up: Tyler Sample
set up: Chris Hayes
LH : Ben Swaggerty
LH : Ray Liotta