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Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Ashie62 Dec 17 2010 11:41 PM

Zack Greinke fires his agent and hires Casey Close. Greinke then demands a trade even though he has 15 teams on his no trade list including the MFY's Greinke says he wants to go to a contender and admits he wasn't always "motivated" during 2010. This all comes from www.cbssportsline.com Greinke was treated for depression a couple of seasons ago and is also treated for general anxiety disorder. The Phillies wouldn't sign this guy also, wuld they? It is the city of Brotherly Love, and projectile vomiting.

Edgy DC Dec 18 2010 09:56 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

Zack Greinke fires his agent and hires Casey Close. Greinke then demands a trade even though he has 15 teams on his no trade list including the MFY's Greinke says he wants to go to a contender and admits he wasn't always "motivated" during 2010. This all comes from http://www.cbssportsline.com Greinke was treated for depression a couple of seasons ago and is also treated for general anxiety disorder. The Phillies wouldn't sign this guy also, wuld they? It is the city of Brotherly Love, and projectile vomiting. That link just took me to the main CBS Sports page (LeBron! LeBron! LeBron!). I'm sure I could have found the link if I looked long enough, but instead went to where I always go in times of despair and ambiugity. Ed F. Price. Source: Zack Greinke Changes Agents By Ed Price Senior MLB Writer | Follow on Twitter: @ed_price The top pitcher believed to be available on the trade market, Zack Greinke, has changed agents. Greinke is now being represented by Jeff Berry and Casey Close of CAA, a major league source told FanHouse. He had been represented by SFX. The timing of the switch is interesting, as Greinke could finally get his wish for a trade out of Kansas City this winter. He was described by one person recently as being "fed up" with the Royals after enduring one losing season after another since his major league debut in 2004. He expressed that frustration publicly last season, saying he doubted the Royals' rebuilding plans would come to fruition before his contract expires at the end of the 2012 season. The 27-year-old will make $13.5 million each of the next two seasons, a more than reasonable rate for a pitcher of his caliber in today's market. But with little hope of contending at least this season and an impressive crop of youngsters coming up through the farm system, the Royals could be best served by dealing Greinke now in hopes of a maximum return. His new agents also happen to represent the other two most-discussed starters in trade chatter the last couple of weeks, Matt Garza of the Rays and Joe Blanton of the Phillies. Unlike those two, Greinke has a limited no-trade clause in his current contract that allows him to veto deals to 15 teams -- reportedly including the Yankees and Red Sox. But the Rangers are not on the list, and many expect them to at least inquire on Greinke. Berry and Close did not return messages seeking comment.

Nymr83 Dec 18 2010 12:39 PM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

If I were the Royals I'd tell Grienke to suck it, he has them but a no-trade clause to half of MLB in his contract and now he's demanding one?

Edgy DC Dec 18 2010 01:03 PM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

Not really demanding one, so much as appearing to let his frustration show, but yup. No-trades aren't so much about aversion to the notion of being traded, as getting control over over them, so you can pick your city, and use them as leverage to get the trading city to sweeten the pot. That's why top players routinely llist the Yankees, Sawx, and Mets on no-trade lists, so they can force the richer teams to throw some money at them to get them to waive their rights, whether in terms of a bonus or an extension.

Ashie62 Dec 19 2010 12:01 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

CBS is picking up a "Bernies Crew" fan blog that has Greinke going to Milwaukee with Yunieskey Betancourt and 2 Million dollars for three prospects featuring CF Lorenzo Cain. [url]http://mlb-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/26514176

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2010 08:25 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

Ashie62 wrote: CBS is picking up a "Bernies Crew" fan blog that has Greinke going to Milwaukee with Yunieskey Betancourt and 2 Million dollars for three prospects featuring CF Lorenzo Cain. [url]http://mlb-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/26514176 Wow, that's an interesting deal. Seems like the NL Central is always up for grabs so teams like the Brewers may as well go for it. They've traded a shitload of prospects this offseson for Marcum and Greinke to go with Gallardo, not bad at the top. And, good job keeping another star from the MFYs.

metirish Dec 19 2010 08:35 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

It's a great deal for the Brewers, Melvin likes going for the big prize. Word is there was a deal in place with the Nats but Greinke vetoed it.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 19 2010 08:44 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: And, good job keeping another star from the MFYs. Maybe the players made a secret pact to boycott the MFY's this year -- kinda like the opposite of what James, Wade and Bosh did in the NBA.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 19 2010 10:36 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

Short-term results of the Lee deal aside, this is a pretty friggin' merry holiday season... especially considering that D.J. Carrasco's the biggest gift we're getting.

smg58 Dec 19 2010 11:13 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

The Greinke deal includes Alcides Escobar (the Brewers traded JJ Hardy to make room for him just last year), and arguably their top pitching prospect in Jake Odorizzi, in addition to Cain. Really not a bad haul for the Royals.

Edgy DC Dec 19 2010 11:20 AM Re: Offseason Transactions 2010-11

Escobar hit pretty craptasitic this season, though. Maybe he turns the corner as a Royal.

Frayed Knot Dec 19 2010 12:37 PM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

From MLB.com (which says it's not official but that the two sides are "closing in") -- The Brewers will part with shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, top pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi and a player to be named later for Greinke, a right-hander, plus shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash. I've heard the names of Cain & Odorizzi around but I'm not sure how high up on the prospect scale they currently reside. Royals probably tightly duct-taped Betancourt to Greinke in order to make the deal more palatable ... for Kansas City! - although, to be fair, YB did hit with a bit more punch this past season to go along with his usual .280-ish OBA KC has a killer farm system at the moment according to all reports with many of them on the verge of contributing. Sounds like the perfect time to add three more (including Escobar) players with age and potential on their resumes.. Who knows, there could actually soon be major league baseball in KC again for the first time in decades. And if everything goes right ...

Frayed Knot Dec 20 2010 07:09 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Reports now adding pitching prospect & former 1st round pick Jeremy Jeffress to the list of Brewers headed to KC - along with Cain, Escobar & Odorizzi Not that it's a bad trade for Milwaukee who now have a very formidable pitching staff and are in clear go-for-it mode in an always up-for-grabs division --- but if I'm a KC fan I've got to be happy with that deal.

metirish Dec 20 2010 08:17 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions) Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 20 2010 08:24 AM

KC wanted Montero and Nunez from MFY's and Greinke said he would go but MFY's were not convinced that a former Cy Young winner was right for the greatest sports team ever........that's the spin the hacks are giving

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 20 2010 08:22 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

"There was talk about a trade to the Yankees... but it's for the best, it's not a good-- he's not a New York kinda guy." -Francesa, on his NBC show last night (I keep falling asleep in the middle of football games and waking up to him.)

Frayed Knot Dec 20 2010 08:35 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

John Sickels sez: 'Brewers did OK but not great' - Alcides Escobar: Good glove, can't hit right now, might hit a bit in the future, more long-term value than Betancourt. - Lorenzo Cain: Good glove, fast, athletic, offensive track record is mixed. I've always kind of liked him, C+/B- type prospect. - Jake Odorizzi: I love him. Haven't gotten to the Brewers yet on my prospect lists but he was going to get a B+. - Jeremy Jeffress: Love the arm strength, command is questionable, I think he can be a great closer...If he throws enough strikes. I'm not worried about the drug angle. Grade B prospect. The Jeffress "drug angle" he references was, I believe, some dope smoking from a few years back, not 'roids or any hard stuff.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 20 2010 08:39 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: "There was talk about a trade to the Yankees... but it's for the best, it's not a good-- he's not a New York kinda guy." -Francesa, on his NBC show last night Francesa has an NBC show???

Edgy DC Dec 20 2010 08:41 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Is this official or what? ESPN has already swapped out his affiliation.

Frayed Knot Dec 20 2010 08:44 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: "There was talk about a trade to the Yankees... but it's for the best, it's not a good-- he's not a New York kinda guy." -Francesa, on his NBC show last night Francesa has an NBC show??? Half-hour on Sunday nights post-football (11:30 or so). Only on the NYC NBC affiliate AFAIK. Usually serves as a football wrap-up show (he takes the summer off) but will talk other stuff as well.

metirish Dec 20 2010 09:23 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: "There was talk about a trade to the Yankees... but it's for the best, it's not a good-- he's not a New York kinda guy." -Francesa, on his NBC show last night Francesa has an NBC show??? I'll tape the remaining shows and send them to you, think of it as a Christmas gift.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 20 2010 09:26 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Wow, um... thanks.

Frayed Knot Dec 21 2010 06:35 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Y'know, despite all his fame, I don't think I would have been able to pick Zach Grienke out of a police lineup without a named uniform. I suppose between playing in baseball Siberia and dealing with anxiety issues the low profile is part a matter of circumstance and part intentional strategy. On the other hand, this is apparently Mrs. Grienke (or Mrs. Grienke to be), the former Miss Daytona Beach/Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Emily Kuchar Who else does a shy boy from Kansas City via Orlando, Florida hook up with?

MFS62 Dec 21 2010 08:31 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

He looks like pictures we've all seen of serial killers. I can't believe he wouldn't be successful in New York. (Yes, I actually looked at him as well as her) Later

A Boy Named Seo Feb 23 2011 08:42 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Great article/interview with Greinke in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He seems brutally honest, and that kinda talk would've gotten him skewered had he landed in NY. I can't help but really, really like him. Getting to know RHP Zack Greinke By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel Feb. 22, 2011 |(81) COMMENTS Phoenix — We just had our first interview session with new Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke, and suffice it to say he is a fascinating, fascinating individual. The reason we didn’t get to talk to Greinke until today is because he really isn’t that comfortable talking to reporters and doesn’t want to “waste time” talking to them because he thinks it takes away from his preparation for baseball. His social anxiety issues from the past in Kansas City all play into that situation and that background is necessary to understand how Greinke functions as a major league pitcher. Greinke doesn’t spend a lot of time interacting with teammates, either, for the same reason, and admitted that fans can be “annoying” for their constant desire to get autographs and ask for a player’s time. But he's not malicious in any way about those things. It's merely how he deals with things. And the 2009 AL Cy Young winner said he has enjoyed his early days in the Brewers’ camp. “It has been fun so far, just a real relaxed camp,” said Greinke. “I like the coaching staff a lot, too, so far. It’s been easy to fit in so far. It’s just more relaxed here.” Later, Greinke added, "I like a lot of the guys. I haven't seen anyone yet that's annoying to me. They've all been good." Greinke said the atmosphere in Brewers’ camp is better than with KC because there are more established players ready to play then all of the youth the Royals are building around at present. Greinke said he was surprised at the reaction to his comments about the Brewers’ being “all in” to win in 2011. He said he expects the winning to last longer than that. “I don’t understand the big deal that was made about that comment,” said Greinke. “Prince (Fielder) is the only guy not under contract for a couple of years. I know he’s a big part of the team but it’s not like it’s a “must win now” season and then everything is completely gone.” As for his expectations for the Brewers, Greinke did say, “It’s more fun to win. We’re not guaranteed to win every game we play. But there will be a better chance and we’ll more than likely win more games than any of my seasons prior. So it should be a fun season.” Greinke said he “sort of” asked to be traded by the Royals about four times last year, starting with before the trade deadline “because we were trading all of our players.” Greinke said the Royals have so many prospects that he doesn’t blame them for building around them, but he wanted to win now after years of losing. “Kansas City is a different situation,” he said. “They’re probably No. 1 in prospects in all of baseball. When your prospects are that good, it’s hard to ignore it. It had to almost change the path of the organization.” Greinke didn’t pitch as well in 2010 as he did in his ’09 Cy Young year and said the losing affected his in-between-starts focus. “When the games started, I pitched 100% every time,” he said. “I feel I do a lot more between starts. But in the second half, I just did what was asked. “Close to the trade deadline and I was doing all this stuff, the organization wasn’t really doing the same effort. They were doing the same effort the long run but not for that season or the next season. It’s not easy to play 162 games and be focused the whole time. It takes a lot out of you.” Greinke, who is on medication for his anxiety disorder, talked about certain things “taking a lot out of you.” That includes spending time dealing with people, on and off the field, extraneous to his pitching. You have to admire his honesty in talking about his situation, and really, his honesty in general, even if his comments aren't always politically correct. As for picking his spots to talk to reporters, he said, “Probably 99% of the time I do it like this is because every day I come to the park and want to get focused on my start, and then random people come and waste my time talking every day. It takes eight minutes to get a real question out because they’re like buttering me up. Then they get to the question and it’s a stupid question. So it’s a waste of 10 minutes, and in that 10-minute time I don’t get to do what I needed to do. “The main reason is it gets rid of all the ‘eyewash’ comments from reporters and I actually get to focus on what needs to be focused on instead of wasting energy on other stuff.” Greinke said that also goes for shooting the bull with teammates when he’s not in the mood. “To talk to people, I have to spend energy talking to them,” he said. “If I expend my energy on talking to people and making friends, it takes away from the energy I could focus on getting ready to pitch. I try to avoid nonsense talk. “It wears me out to do stuff like our meetings every day. If I actually listen to the person talking, it’ll wear me out. So I kind of go into a little daze. Then I’m still refreshed from it.” Greinke said he can still have relationships with teammates, though. “You don’t have to talk with them an hour every day to get to know people,” he said. “Everyone is different. I don’t like to go to dinner too much because sometimes that wears me out.” I asked Greinke if many teammates have told him how excited they are to have him on the club and he said, "It's kind of what happened to Texas forever. The offense is amazing but you can't really do much without pitching. That's kind of what it was like in Milwaukee. "We brought in two really good pitchers and there's already two really good pitchers here. We have four legit rotation guys and the offense should be as good as it always is. If we stay healthy and pitch the way we're capable of pitching, it should be a very good season. And I know there's another starter, too, but there's four that I've been around for awhile and you know what can happen. I know (Narveson) finished strong (in 2010), too." Greinke said he experimented twice with upping his medication during a season but it didn’t work for him. He said he tried it once in the minors and again last year and “it didn’t work that well.” So, as you can see, the profession Greinke has chosen often is at odds with his personality and the way he likes to go through a day. To me, that makes it all the more amazing how well he has done as a major league pitcher. It's just not as easy for him as it is for others who don't have to deal with social anxiety. I'm guessing it takes a lot of courage and determination to do what he does for a living and deal with those issues. Talking about the extraneous things that can come at a player, he said, "I don't waste my time doing all that other stuff. I don't really enjoy all the stuff that comes with it. It gives me less motivation to want to do all of that stuff. "I like coming to the park more now than I used to. Earlier in my career, I didn't know what to do with all that time at the park. It used to drive me crazy." Greinke did admit that he thought he was done with baseball in 2006 when he left the Royals during spring training during the height of his social anxiety problems. “I was done playing (in his mind),” he said. “I was surprised I came back. They had me see a psychologist. We found out what was going on and why I didn’t like going on a baseball field. I thought it was a 10% chance of coming back.” Obviously, the Brewers are happy he did.

metirish Feb 23 2011 04:19 PM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

As for picking his spots to talk to reporters, he said, “Probably 99% of the time I do it like this is because every day I come to the park and want to get focused on my start, and then random people come and waste my time talking every day. It takes eight minutes to get a real question out because they’re like buttering me up. Then they get to the question and it’s a stupid question. So it’s a waste of 10 minutes, and in that 10-minute time I don’t get to do what I needed to do. That;s a great quote , Harper et al wouldn't know how to deal with him , which is why they dismissed him as a "wouldn't be able to playin NY" guy.

TransMonk Mar 09 2011 08:11 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Uh-oh. Heyman chews out Grienke. I get the feeling the 2011 Mets would be contenders in the NL Central. Greinke's childish mistake costs Brewers after big investment Heyman wrote: Greinke will likely miss his first few starts of the season, as explained by Brewers team doctor William Raasch, who discovered a hairline fracture on one of two injured ribs on Greinke, who admitted later that basketball was a bad idea that won't be repeated by him. Until Tuesday, when the seriousness of Greinke's injury was revealed, he was telling writers only that he had done something "stupid'' to injure his side and that it was "off the field.'' Now we learn it was on the court, no surprise to those who know about Greinke's off-the-charts lust for competition. According to him, he suffered the injury after falling while going up for a rebound. The timing suggests it happened after reporting to Brewers camp.

Edgy DC Mar 09 2011 08:13 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

He went up for a rebound?! What an asshole!

Gwreck Mar 09 2011 08:21 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Aren't activities with a high risk of injury (playing contact sports; riding motorcycles) prohibited in his contract? See Boone, Aaron; Kent, Jeff, etc etc.

Edgy DC Mar 09 2011 08:27 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

I imagine that virtually everybody in MLB plays a little basketball. (Except Jeter, I'm sure.) Cal Ripken played it non-stop in the offseason and didn't exactly quit when the season started. He swore by it. He probably wasn't even that good. He stayed more-or-less healthy.

Ashie62 Mar 09 2011 08:39 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Gwreck wrote: Aren't activities with a high risk of injury (playing contact sports; riding motorcycles) prohibited in his contract? See Boone, Aaron; Kent, Jeff, etc etc. Thats what I thought.

Ceetar Mar 09 2011 08:46 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Edgy DC wrote: I imagine that virtually everybody in MLB plays a little basketball. (Except Jeter, I'm sure.) Cal Ripken played it non-stop in the offseason and didn't exactly quit when the season started. He swore by it. He probably wasn't even that good. He stayed more-or-less healthy. I think it's a injury risk % thing. not that it's dangerous, but it's more dangerous than golf. sounds like he was playing after reporting to camp, were there other Brewers playing too?

G-Fafif Mar 09 2011 09:11 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Who was Greinke guarding -- Mike Vail?

metsmarathon Mar 09 2011 09:52 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

well, golf could fuck up your back, no? not that i know if he ever played basketball, but heyman is probably a big fan of paul o'neill, right?

Edgy DC Mar 09 2011 10:03 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

It may not be golf, but there's a meaningful degree of difference between asking young, competitive, randy men not to do wheelies in the street on motorbikes and asking them not to play basketball.

Frayed Knot Mar 09 2011 10:36 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Gwreck wrote: Aren't activities with a high risk of injury (playing contact sports; riding motorcycles) prohibited in his contract? See Boone, Aaron; Kent, Jeff, etc etc. Usually, and Milwaukee is probably within their rights to fine him for time missed. Not sure they'll actually do that seeing as how it's most likely a short-term injury plus it's probably not the first impression they'd like to leave on their big-ticket acquisition who can pull up stakes and leave at the end of next season.

Frayed Knot Mar 10 2011 12:33 PM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

From a BP piece: For what it's worth, Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin has come out and said that Greinke's injury was not a violation of Greinke's contract ... "The contract stipulates against playing ‘competitive’ basketball,” said Melvin. “They don’t want you playing in men’s leagues or things like that..."

TransMonk May 05 2011 07:40 AM Re: Dealing Greinke (split from Offseason Transactions)

Season/Brewers debut for Greinke last night: 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER Brewers commit 3 errors and allow 8 runs overall...meanwhile, Tim Hudson throws a complete game one-hitter.