Greinke goes to Milwaukee, assist to Cliff Lee

by Phil Wood

Zack Greinke has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for an impressive package of prospects. You may have read that the Royals had also been talking to the Nationals about Greinke, but Greinke had indicated he wouldn't waive his no-trade clause to play for Washington.

He'd previously shown a willingness to come to D.C. - until Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies.

According to sources close to Greinke, the Nationals, following the acquisition of Jayson Werth, looked like a solid spot, but that Lee joining the Phils' rotation changed everything. The road to a NL East postseason berth narrowed considerably in Greinke's mind, but the NL Central? That's a winnable division, possibly as soon as this season.

Milwaukee gave up their starting shortstop, Alcides Escobar, and blue-chip outfield prospect Lorenzo Cain as well as two other players for Greinke, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash. Adding Greinke to a rotation that already features Yovani Gallardo and recently acquired Shaun Marcum gives the Brewers a formidable front three starting pitchers.