For their part, the Royals are publicly saying all the right things. Even if some are skeptical or dont believe it, the Royals are playing poker, saying they are perfectly fine with keeping Zack all the way through 2012 and collecting the draft picks if he doesn't re-sign.
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/04...ls-should.html
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Another top club official was more specific.
“We’d want two young players who can make a major impact,” he said, “and maybe two guys who can help us out in some way. If we don’t get that, we don’t make the trade. It’s that simple.”
The Royals insist there is no financial push to seek a deal. They say Greinke’s contract, which pays him a club-record $13.5 million over each of the next two years, fits comfortably within their projected payrolls. The club’s thinking is that in a worst-case scenario, Greinke leaves after 2012 as a free agent, which would give the Royals two high draft picks as compensation and more payroll flexibility.
“If that’s the worst that can happen,” one club official asked, “why should we trade him unless we get exactly what we want?”
The Royals also believe Greinke might be induced into a contract extension if the club’s rebuilding plan progresses faster than anticipated.
“A year from now,” Moore said, “we might be looking to add pieces. Maybe we’ve got (Mike) Montgomery and (John) Lamb in the rotation, and they’re doing well. (Luke) Hochevar has stepped it up. (Mike) Moustakas and (Eric) Hosmer are doing really well…”
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