It is my opinion that the biggest trade this off season involved sending Zack Greinke to the Brewers. When I originally saw that it took place it was represented as a four for one deal and I initially thought that might have been fair. Then it was revealed that the Royals also included shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash so I thought the Royals got the short end. In return the Royals received shortstop Alcides Escobar, centerfielder Lorenzo Cain and right handed pitchers Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi. Jeffress and Odorizzi appear to be fair compensation for a former Cy Young winner being former Brewer number one picks in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Yet Jeffress also carries excess baggage with three drug suspensions on his record and could face a lifetime ban if he slips again. Cain and Escobar both gained valuable major league experience last season. Neither is a power bat but should provide the Royals some speed on the base paths. Escobar is the only one of the four that should really contribute this season as the starting shortstop. I think he is an upgrade over Yuni and the more I think about it I believe the Royals threw Yuni in just to clear the spot on the roster. The Brewers might have initially balked until KC threw some cold cash in to seal the deal and get Yuni out of town.
A couple years ago during Zack's Cy Young season I was able to trade for him in my fantasy league. I had lost Johan Santana for the season and needed a quality arm to replace him on the staff. After negotiations I landed him in exchange for rising stars Kendry Morales, Ben Zobrist and Nelson Cruz. He helped me secure a second place finish that year and will be one of my top guns for a few more years. I believe his fantasy value rises with his move to the National League and he'll have his opportunity to win now.
A similar trade in baseball occurred a few years ago during the season that also involved the Brewers. Mid season 2008 the Brewers rolled their dice on a playoff run by trading for CC Sabathia in exchange for four prospects: Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson and Taylor Green. That trade turned out only to be a half season rental for the Brewers as he headed to the Yankees after that season was over. The Greinke trade should be better for Milwaukee with Zack having two more years remaining on his contract and maybe they'll sign him for longer.
I also had the good fortune to trade for Sabathia that same off season. Luckily the trade was made before he ended up in New York or the deal might not have been made. In exchange for Sabathia I gave up rising star Andre Ethier and prospects Ian Stewart, Sean Rodriguez and Travis Snider. Just as the Brewers have done twice now I was willing to mortgage the future in exchange for a shot in the short term. Sabathia was the anchor for that second place team complimented by Santana and later Greinke.
On another Royals note I would like to express my happiness over the Royals signing Billy Butler to an extension. That gives the team a good anchor for the future and with the best farm system he should have a great supporting cast sooner than later.
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