The Zack Greinke trade market looks like it's heating up.
According to T.R. Sullivan, the Texas Rangers sent Scott Littlefield, one of Texas' top scouts at the Major League level, to watch Greinke's start on Friday night, as the Milwaukee Brewers played host to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Greinke laid an egg, however. Making his third start in as many Brewers games (thanks to a first inning ejection on Saturday, and extended All-Star break), Greinke was roughed up by the Pirates. Greinke allowed six runs (five earned), in five innings, while allowing seven hits, issuing two walks and striking out six.
Certainly, it was not the effort that Greinke, the Brewers or Littlefield was looking for.
Still, it's just one start, and Greinke still has been one of the five best pitchers in all of baseball this year. Greinke's 3.5 WAR is second only to Justin Verlander, who is, you know, the reigning AL MVP and AL Cy Young award winner.
It's still unknown who the Brewers would target in a trade for Greinke, but Milwaukee has sent scouts of their own to watch the Frisco RoughRiders -- Texas' AA affiliate. Mike Olt's name figures to get a lot of mention in trade talks, but it's unknown if the Rangers would deal one of the top third base prospects in all of baseball for a rental piece.
For more on the Rangers, be sure to head over to Lone Star Ball.