Milwaukee Reports: Zack Greinke To Brewers

Multiple reports out of Milwaukee Saturday night have a Zack Greinke deal centered around Alcides Escobar and a package of prospects completed and awaiting announcement.

Jim Breen first reported a deal involving Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress and Lorenzo Cain.

I had been told that the Milwaukee Brewers were originally informed that they had “no chance” of landing Greinke during the Winter Meetings, but that could have changed significantly once Greinke went public with his demands to leave the Royals.

The deal is expected to be announced on Monday.

Andrew Wagner updates that Jake Odorizzi was also included in the deal.

If the reports are true, the Rangers have missed out on a second high profile starting pitching target to a late surfacing suitor. Escobar fits a Royals need as a high end defensive short stop, and Odorizzi is a quality pitching prospect, rivaling anyone in the Texas organization outside of Martin Perez. While Cain may be less of a sure hole-filler in center field, he matches a second positional need of the Royals. Jeffress is the sort of hard throwing reliever that could eventually close games for the Royals.

Zack Greinke Offers Are Increasing

According to Ed Price, teams that have expressed interest in Zack Greinke have started to increase their offers. Price does not go into detail about which teams are increasing their offers at this time.

Aside from the Rangers, the Blue Jays, Braves, Yankees and Brewers have been linked to a possible trade for Greinke. While most packages would involve prospects, there is one rumor circulating that the Brewers would be willing to offer outfielder Ryan Braun to acquire Greinke - though I doubt that will come to fruition.

A move for Greinke would likely cost the Rangers either Martin Perez or Tanner Scheppers along with Jurickson Profar, Engle Beltre and other lesser prospects.

Texas will likely wait, much like the Yankees, to see what happens with Cliff Lee before making a decision on meeting the Greinke asking price.

Greinke has two years remaining on his contract and is set to make $13.5 million in each of those seasons.

Royals, Rangers Tussling Over Zack Greinke Return

Royals sources have told the KC Star that they are getting frustrated with what they view as below-value offers by the Rangers for Zack Greinke.

The early buzz at the Winter Meetings suggests the Royals are already wearying at what they perceive as low-ball offers from the Texas Rangers for pitcher Zack Greinke.

Everyone - including the Royals themselves - agrees that they are asking for a huge package to trade Greinke. Those comments are reminiscent of opposing GMs' comments in the summer of 2007, as Jon Daniels shopped Mark Teixeira. The requested package seems to target a similar return.

The Royals want two impact prospects, with one preferably being a pitcher, in return for Greinke, who is under contract through 2012 at $13.5 million a season. They also want another player or two capable of supporting roles on a major-league club.

Texas has the necessary pieces to meet those demands - if it chooses. The Royals are believed to be interested in shortstop Jurickson Profar, outfielder Engel Beltre and one or more of the Rangers' talented young pitchers.

Profar and Beltre represent by far the Rangers two most promising position prospects. Another potential hangup could be pitcher Martin Perez, who numerous sources have called the Rangers' one untouchable prospect.