The Kansas City Royals traded Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The Royals received Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi from the Brewers.
Greinke, the 2009 Cy Young Award winner, officially requested a trade on Friday after an off-season of trade rumors linked him to teams like the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. His no-trade clause could block trades to fifteen teams, including the Brewers, but he allowed the trade that will give him a chance with a new team and a new city. Greinke, 27, dealt with social anxiety disorder and depression in 2006, but recovered and has become one of the game’s top young pitchers.
Betancourt, 28, is considered a poor offensive and defensive player and was likely a salary dump to make room for Escobar. The Royals also sent the Brewers two million dollars in cash considerations, conceivably to cover the buyout of Betancourt’s 2012 contract.
Cain and Escobar, both 24, both have star potential. After a mediocre rookie season, Escobar is expected to improve on his poor offensive performance to add to his impressive defensive ability. Cain will have to show consistency going into his rookie season. He has speed, can play solid defense and might be able to develop power.
Jeffress and Odorizzi are both former first-round picks. Jeffress, 23, has dealt with substance abuse problems and 150 games worth of suspensions, but his fastball can touch 100 miles per hour. Odorizzi is only 20 years old and was considered the top high school pitcher when he was drafted in 2008.
When I heard about this deal I was completely shocked. Out of all the teams Greinke could go to (Yankees, Angels, Mets, etc...), the Brewers were definitely at the bottom of my list of options.
ReplyDeleteAs a Rockies fan, this trade makes me happy though, because anytime a smaller-market club like the Brewers can go out and get a player of Greinke's caliber, it means the Rockies have fewer excuses to do the same.
I agree with your take on the Rockies. They went out and traded for Matt Lindstrom today, a player who has done nothing but disappoint in his career, when they could have signed a much better free agent reliever for a few more million than he will get next season.
ReplyDeleteI like that they extended Tulowitzki again and are trying to work out an extension with Gonzalez, but those players are under Rockies control for a few more years; they are not going anywhere. They need to bring other quality players in, not bench players Ty Wigginton and Jose Lopez.