Zack Greinke Reportedly Willing to Accept Trade to Yankees

[teedubya]

****in' Yankees.

The Yankees still have their hearts set on signing Cliff Lee as a free agent, but their chances at getting a guy to ride shotgun to CC Sabathia might not be up in smoke if he remains with the Rangers.

Royals ace Zack Greinke is reportedly OK with the prospect of a trade sending him to the Yankees. That runs counter to earlier reports that Greinke isn't interested in pitching in the highly pressurized New York market, reports that stemmed from the fact that he has a no-trade clause that includes the Yankees. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, though, Greinke is open to going anywhere with a winning team.

"I wouldn't put it past him to go to New York," Passan's source said. "I don't think he'd rule out anybody. He says he likes New York. Especially because they're winners. He wants to go to a team that wins."

Imagine that, a player who prefers winning to losing. Stop the presses!

Seriously, though, this is eye-opening because it flies in the face of the perceptions about Greinke that have built up over the last couple of years. The no-trade clause mixed with his previous issues with social anxiety disorder and depression made it seem like the atmosphere around a team like the Yankees would make any attempt to add Greinke a non-starter. This would appear to change that equation.

What's more, Passan reports that the Royals have had discussions with the Yankees about a trade that would send Greinke to the Bronx. Obviously such discussions are in very early stages as the Yankees would almost surely prefer signing Lee to spending prospects on a deal for Greinke.

A trade for Greinke, who is 27 and signed for $27 million over the next two seasons, would come at a high price in terms of big-league talent and/or highly regarded prospects. For the Yankees, such a deal would likely have to include Jesus Montero, expected to be the catcher in 2011, and at least one of the top pitching prospects Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances.

That's a steep price and there would certainly be other bidders, but the Yankees are likely cheered by the prospect that the cupboard isn't bare if they can't lure Lee to their clubhouse.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/30/z...de-to-yankees/

[DJ's left nut]

Don't trade with the Yankees.

As a result of the east-coast media hype, they invariably have overhyped prospects that won't amount to a whole hell of a lot at this level.

If the deal goes through it will be for a package centered around Jesus Montero, I'm sure. But the problem is that nobody expects Montero to stick behind the plate. If the guy wasn't in NYY, he'd just be another 1b prospect. Granted, 21 HRs at 20 yrs old in AAA is no small accomplishment, but don't you think you fellas have enough 1b/DH types already?

If you make this deal, you have to pry a roster player out of there as well, IMO.

Greinke for Gardner, Chamberlain, Montero and Heathcott might be a fair return, but it really creates some roster constrution issues in that you don't have enough places to play for Butler, Moustakas, Montero and Hosmer (and that's with you giving up on Kila, which I still think is a poor decision).

With Gardner you get a good table-setter entering the prime of his career which would really help with the development of your young hitters. He's also a plus defensive player. Joba gets you a guy with some upside that simply needs a change of scenery and Montero/Heathcott gets a couple of the Yankees higher upside prospects.

Eh, I'd still probably avoid dealing with the Yankees or Red Sox unless I trusted the hell out of my own scouts and they gave their own reports on these prospects. You just can't trust anything that comes out of those two organizations.

[gblowfish]

The Yanks can have Greinke if we can keep his wife Emily. Just let her dance around on the big screen in center field while we lose 110 games next year.

Winning doesn't matter, just be happy to have baseball, you midwestern rubes.

Shiny objects are your friend, Royals Sheeple.....

[KevB]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Don't trade with the Yankees.

As a result of the east-coast media hype, they invariably have overhyped prospects that won't amount to a whole hell of a lot at this level.

If the deal goes through it will be for a package centered around Jesus Montero, I'm sure. But the problem is that nobody expects Montero to stick behind the plate. If the guy wasn't in NYY, he'd just be another 1b prospect. Granted, 21 HRs at 20 yrs old in AAA is no small accomplishment, but don't you think you fellas have enough 1b/DH types already?

If you make this deal, you have to pry a roster player out of there as well, IMO.

Greinke for Gardner, Chamberlain, Montero and Heathcott might be a fair return, but it really creates some roster constrution issues in that you don't have enough places to play for Butler, Moustakas, Montero and Hosmer (and that's with you giving up on Kila, which I still think is a poor decision).

With Gardner you get a good table-setter entering the prime of his career which would really help with the development of your young hitters. He's also a plus defensive player. Joba gets you a guy with some upside that simply needs a change of scenery and Montero/Heathcott gets a couple of the Yankees higher upside prospects.

Eh, I'd still probably avoid dealing with the Yankees or Red Sox unless I trusted the hell out of my own scouts and they gave their own reports on these prospects. You just can't trust anything that comes out of those two organizations.

All great points, and I agree. I wouldn't completely negate dealing with the Yankees, but you always have to be concerned about the over-hyping of their prospects. I think Montero is legit, but as you said, where would you put him.

[gblowfish]

If you trade Greinke, send him to the NL. He likes to hit.

[Consistent1]

The guy is probably better off mentally, despite any concerns of anxiety due to media and market size, somewhere on a winning team. He has the "stuff" for sure to win games with run support. It sucks for the Royals, they need to get a nice haul for sure.

[Spott]

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan5840

Why would you give up on the best professional sport in this country?

He said he gave on baseball, not football.

[Chief_For_Life58]

i love the royals. we are not going anywhere. after mid season once we traded away posed, ankiel and the other good ones it is clear this organization does not want to win. trade greinke for montero and the two pitchers it was said they are including. those 3 prospects look like they are gonna be good to great players in the mlb possibly. lets do this trade

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

He wants to win, why the **** would he ok a trade to the Mets?

I understand your point and many people believe that the Mets won't win as long as Jeff Wilpon is calling the shots.

But with Sandy Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi and Paul Depodesta in the front office and Terry Collins as the manager for the next two years, I'm betting they'll be far more disciplined and competitive in the future than they have been in the past 10 years.

The front office was a zoo. They need to dump salary and bring in players and certainly have the money and fan base to make it happen. It's just a matter of time.

[kcfanXIII]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

This. Colon's haul would really set us up long-term.

Edit: BTW, this has NOTHING to do with Greinke's salary. It has everything to do with 1) not knowing if they could re-sign him after his current deal expires and 2) getting a ton of talent in return that would support the insane class that is likely coming in 2012.

you know how many times we've heard this story? i get that zack wants out. i can even go as far as to say i understand it to the point it really doesn't bother me. but seriously, how many times can you tell your fan base "wait till next year, then we'll have all this talent" and it not come true before the fan base says "**** off!"?

the nerve of those guys in the royals front office is astounding. this club hasn't been to the playoffs in 25 years and they got the balls to tell us to be patient? no, its time we all start praying for a firey plane crash out of northwest arkansas with that piece of shit glass being the only death. well maybe his son too.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

you know how many times we've heard this story? i get that zack wants out. i can even go as far as to say i understand it to the point it really doesn't bother me. but seriously, how many times can you tell your fan base "wait till next year, then we'll have all this talent" and it not come true before the fan base says "**** off!"?

the nerve of those guys in the royals front office is astounding. this club hasn't been to the playoffs in 25 years and they got the balls to tell us to be patient? no, its time we all start praying for a firey plane crash out of northwest arkansas with that piece of shit glass being the only death. well maybe his son too.

.

I hear you. I do, and I completely understand the frustration. However, with the money we've been investing in the draft, things should legitimately be different soon. If we fail to re-sign several of our key pieces, should they develop as planned, I'll be right there demanding that Glass sell the team.

[Spott]

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

you know how many times we've heard this story? i get that zack wants out. i can even go as far as to say i understand it to the point it really doesn't bother me. but seriously, how many times can you tell your fan base "wait till next year, then we'll have all this talent" and it not come true before the fan base says "**** off!"?

the nerve of those guys in the royals front office is astounding. this club hasn't been to the playoffs in 25 years and they got the balls to tell us to be patient? no, its time we all start praying for a firey plane crash out of northwest arkansas with that piece of shit glass being the only death. well maybe his son too.

They aren't ever going to have the talent to compete. The Royals are nothing but a farm team for all of the bigger market teams and that is not going to change for a long time.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Spott

They aren't ever going to have the talent to compete. The Royals are nothing but a farm team for all of the bigger market teams and that is not going to change for a long time.

You must not pay much attention to minor league baseball. The Royals are losing talented players NOW because they can't squeeze them all onto the 40 man roster; other teams are raiding the Royals leftovers. That will likely continue in the Rule 5 draft. I can't recall a time when the Royals minor leagues were this top-heavy AND deep with talent. Dayton has literally taken us from the worst system to the best in less than 5 years.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

you know how many times we've heard this story? i get that zack wants out. i can even go as far as to say i understand it to the point it really doesn't bother me. but seriously, how many times can you tell your fan base "wait till next year, then we'll have all this talent" and it not come true before the fan base says "**** off!"?

Before now it was hot air, and no one outside of the Royals sales department and very delusional fans believed our minor leagues were worth a damn. We were too cheap to draft and sign the best prospects, and when we did have a Damon or Beltran, they were basically the only prospect we had. You cant win by finding only a couple good players every decade.

This time it really is different, because its not just Royals PR, they have the obvious consensus #1 farm system, and the only question is do we currently have the best group of prospects of the decade? In 3 or 4 years if things work out, we could almost put together a complete team using nothing but our minor leagues.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

You must not pay much attention to minor league baseball. The Royals are losing talented players NOW because they can't squeeze them all onto the 40 man roster; other teams are raiding the Royals leftovers. That will likely continue in the Rule 5 draft. I can't recall a time when the Royals minor leagues were this top-heavy AND deep with talent. Dayton has literally taken us from the worst system to the best in less than 5 years.

That is a pretty good point. This month we are probably going to lose players to the rule V draft that we would have coveted in previous years simply because they now aren't good enough in our system to protect.

[Pitt Gorilla]

If this doesn't excite you, I'm not sure what will.

Kansas City Royals Top 20 Prospects

1) Mike Moustakas, 3B, Grade A: This guy is really damn good. I believe he can stick at third base, so he ranks ahead of Hosmer just barely.

2) Eric Hosmer, 1B, Grade A: This guy is really damn good.

3) Wil Myers, C, Grade A: If I trusted his defense a bit more, he would rank number one. As it is, even if he ends up in right field I have no hesitation giving him a Grade A rating. The bat should be outstanding.

4) Danny Duffy, LHP, Grade A-: Going to go with the higher grade here over a B+; fortune favors the bold.

5) John Lamb, LHP, Grade B+: Slippage in Double-A keeps him from A- at this time, but an outstanding prospect.

6) Michael Montgomery, LHP, Grade B+: Worried a bit about future of his elbow.

7) Chris Dwyer, LHP, Grade B: Almost went with a B+, but something holds me back a bit on him. Great stuff, but I'm not totally sold on his command yet.

8) Brett Eibner, OF, Grade B: I love the power bat; will have to see if contact is an issue and if he can stick in center.

9) Christian Colon, SS, Grade B: I doubt he'll be a star, but I expect he can have a long career as a regular.

10) Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Grade B-: Love the bat, defense still needs some work but has improved a bit.

11) Louis Coleman, RHP, Grade B-: I know he's a reliever, but he will be ready to help soon and I think there is a chance he could end up closing some games eventually. I think he is underrated and thus his grade is aggressive for a reliever.

12) Aaron Crow, RHP, Grade C+: Ranking him behind Coleman may look weird, but I am more confident that Coleman will be a good major league pitcher than I am in Crow right now, although Crow has a higher ceiling.

13) Tim Melville, RHP, Grade C+ Not a good year, but not as bad as it looked. Talent is still there.

14) Tim Collins, LHP, Grade C+: Can help in bullpen in 2011. Numbers are no fluke. Would rank ahead of Melville and even Crow if you are looking for immediate impact.

15) Patrick Keating, RHP, Grade C+: Overlooked arm with above average stuff. Royals have makings of a great pen with Coleman, Collins, and Keating all close to the majors.

16) Salvador Perez, C, Grade C+: I think he's a breakthrough candidate.

17) Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Grade C+: Hard to rank. Scouts like him, he's young, but the early numbers are weak. Would rank higher if you go by nothing but tools, wouldn't be on the top 20 at all if you go by numbers, so this is a compromise.

18) Clint Robinson, 1B, Grade C+: I've seen enough of him to believe he can mash for power, but finding a place to play is tough.

19) Jeff Bianchi, INF, Grade C+: Hard to rank due to health record. He could end up being very good as soon as 2011 under the right circumstances.

20) David Lough, OF, Grade C+: Could be a nice fourth outfielder.

21) Kevin Chapman, LHP, Grade C+: Another guy who can be a solid major league reliever pretty quickly.

22) Buddy Baumann, LHP, Grade C+: Overshadowed by the younger lefties, but should not be ignored.

23) Will Smith, LHP, Grade C+: I think he has a better chance to thrive here than he did with the Angels.

24) Robinson Yambati, RHP, Grade C+: Rookie ball guy could break through in '11.

25) Yordano Ventura, RHP, Grade C+: Rookie ball guy could break through in ‘11