6 replies to this topic

[warthog]

Posted on Sun, Dec. 19, 2010
Royals trade Greinke, Betancourt to Brewers for shortstop, three prospects
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star

The much-anticipated blockbuster trade involving former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke trade became official Sunday afternoon when he was traded by the Royals with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to Milwaukee for shortstop Alcides Escobar and three prospects.

The Royals also obtained outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-handed pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress in the deal, which sent $2 million to the Brewers.

Escobar, Cain and Jeffress were placed on the club’s 40-man roster, while Odorizzi was assigned to Class A Wilmington. The Royals cleared space for the additions by designating utility infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment.

The likelihood of a deal surfaced last August when Greinke expressed reluctance at waiting out the Royals’ rebuilding program. Momentum accelerated in recent days when he became the best available option for any club’s seeking a No. 1 starter following the decision of free-agent Cliff Lee to sign with Philadelphia.

Greinke, 27, was the 2009 American League Cy Young winner but slumped last season to 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA. He admitted he often lacked motivation because of the Royals’ inability to put together a winning club.

Betancourt, 28, batted .258 last season while setting career highs with 16 homers and 78 RBIs.

The deal enables the Royals to clear roughly $13 million in payroll for next season. Greinke is guaranteed $13.5 million over the next two seasons.

Betancourt will make $4 million, but Seattle remains on the hook for $1 million under conditions of a July 2009 trade. His contract includes a $6 million option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout.

The Royals were seeking at least two top prospects in any deal for Greinke and were particularly keen to acquire up-the-middle help at shortstop/second base and center field. They also wanted to acquire a high-end pitcher in the deal.

By that measurement, they succeeded. Escobar becomes their starting shortstop, while Cain projects as their likely starter in center field. The Brewers generally viewed Odorizzi and Jeffress as their top two pitching prospects.

Escobar, 24, is regarded as a flashy (if inconsistent) defensive player with above-average range. He ranked as the Brewers’ top prospect in 2008 and 2009 but batted just .235 last season as a rookie with a .288 on-base percentage in 145 games.

Cain, also 24, is a right-handed hitter who made his major-league debut last season by batting .306 last season with 11 doubles, one triple and one homer in 43 games. He batted .317 with a .402 on-base percentage in 84 minor-league games prior to his promotion.

Escobar and Cain should also provide the Royals with a much-needed speed boost.

Jeffress, 23, pitched last season at four minor-league levels before making his big-league debut by allowing three runs in 10 innings over 10 appearances. He flashes a fastball that pushes 100 mph in combination with a nasty curve and should make a strong push next spring for a bullpen job.

But Jeffress comes with baggage.

He was twice suspended in his minor-league career after testing positive for marijuana use. A third positive test in the minors would have resulted in a career ban, but the major-league drug agreement does not permit suspension for use of recreational drugs.

Odorizzi, 20, was the Brewers’ minor-league pitcher of the year after going 7-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 23 games for Class A Wisconsin. He was generally viewed as the club’s top prospect following a recent trade that sent second baseman Brent Lawrie to Toronto.

http://www.kansascit...to-brewers.html

[autodrummer]

Surprised it was the Brewers but ok. We all knew this was coming. Looks like we did well though.

[AssKickingBoots]

So far I've liked what I've heard. It's a shame Greinke had no intentions to sign long-term with the boys in blue, but I bet he'll be regretting that in about 2-3 years when what some have called the "greatest farm system in memory" gets called up. If Escobar gets to batting and gets on base more, this trade could be very favorable.

I like the future for the Royals and this trade helps that, but it sucks waiting.

[warthog]

AssKickingBoots, on 21 December 2010 - 02:53 PM, said:

So far I've liked what I've heard. It's a shame Greinke had no intentions to sign long-term with the boys in blue, but I bet he'll be regretting that in about 2-3 years when what some have called the "greatest farm system in memory" gets called up. If Escobar gets to batting and gets on base more, this trade could be very favorable.

I like the future for the Royals and this trade helps that, but it sucks waiting.

We got a couple of guys that play every day and a couple of guys that pitch every once in awhile for a guy that pitched great every few days and our leading home run hitter. I'll take it.

I would love to see them get a guy that can hit those 30-40 home runs a year and bat in 115, but from what I hear, those guys are coming up through the minors. With all the cash we are saving, we need to go out and purchase a decent pitcher or two.

[AssKickingBoots]

warthog, on 21 December 2010 - 05:41 PM, said:

We got a couple of guys that play every day and a couple of guys that pitch every once in awhile for a guy that pitched great every few days and our leading home run hitter. I'll take it.

I would love to see them get a guy that can hit those 30-40 home runs a year and bat in 115, but from what I hear, those guys are coming up through the minors. With all the cash we are saving, we need to go out and purchase a decent pitcher or two.

Yeah, we have a thin pitching staff going into the year. I think the Royals are going to be relatively inactive in FA. Any guys they sign will probably be stop gaps until the farm system comes up.

I really think Betancourt's 16 HRs were an aberration for him (not that 16 is that impressive) and I hope the sad fact that was a team high was as well. But yeah, I'm hearing the same thing as you. We've got bats in our system, the main things we were supposed to be missing were a center fielder and a short stop (and maybe catcher, I forget).

Escobar was going into last year the top prospect in the Brewers organization, and even if his bat never comes alive, worst case you could still start him for his defense at short stop. He had something like 40 stolen bases one year in the minors.

Jeffres has a flamethrower arm. I heard someone say he's been clocked at 102 mph. I think he'd best serve this team as a relief man that can come in and change the pace for an inning or two.

Lorenzo Cain is supposed to be a center fielder and he hits well for average. His speed is a definite upgrade both in defensive range and on the bases.

Odorizzi was considered the top pitching prospect for the Brewers and he's a late first round pick.

Perhaps the best thing is they're all young. Cain (24), Escobar (24), Jeffres (23), and Odorizzi (20). They'll be starting to come into their prime the same time the cavalry is supposed to come in and save the day. You've got to feel good about that. I don't care if any of them end up becoming a star, if we get a few average to above average starters and another contributor, we made ourselves a better ball club day-to-day.

[Vazza]

Damn Baseball you are a fickle mistress!

[HG]

So your saying your mistress has balls?