Just two days after switching agents, pitcher Zack Greinke is switching teams.
The 2009 American League Cy Young award winner, and top pitcher remaining on the market, was traded early Sunday morning to the Milwaukee Brewers. Grienke, along with SS Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million will head to Milwaukee for a package of four young players including shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain, pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi and a player to be named later believed to be pitching prospect Jeremy Jeffress.
According to Baseball America, Odorizzi was the top ranked prospect in the Brewers system. Jeffress was ranked third.
Greinke was the 6th pick in the 2002 draft and compiled a 60-67 record with a 3.82 ERA in six seasons with Kansas City. Last year he went 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA.
The 27-year old switched agents late Friday night joining Casey Close and the CAA team.
Greinke has suffered from an anxiety disorder throughout his career and many questiones whether he would be able to pitch in a big market. The Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals were also rumored to be involved in the Greinke sweepstake. According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Royals and Nationals were close to a deal but Greinke invoked his no-trade clause and informed Kansas City he would not go to Washington.
He went 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA in 2009 and will headline a staff made up of Yovani Gallardo, Randy Wolf, and newly acquired Shaun Marcum.
The deal was first reported early Sunday morning by Jim Breem on the Milwaukee Brewers blog “Bernie’s Crew”.
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