The Milwaukee Brewers have been playing coy with the idea of trading pending free-agent ace Zack Greinke, and for good reason. The team has been hoping to sign the right-hander to an extension, reportedly offering him over $100 million to stick around. But with the mega-deal to Cole Hamels, Greinke will be the only premium pitcher on the market this winter. And with him testing that market, the Brewers have finally conceded their intentions:
"We're taking phone calls," Melvin told WTMJ's Greg Matzek. "We've been working here. I'm in the office in the 'war room' already. It's a busy week. At this point we have to listen to opportunities to improve the ball club for the future and still try to win ball games now."
Asked by Matzek how many teams have contacted him about Greinke, Melvin said, "There's a lot of teams that make contact. You try to narrow the list down in that regard. You take the serious ones.
The Brewers would probably like to get back a package that's similar to the Alcides Escobar, Jake Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain, and Jeremy Jeffress combo they sent over in the first place, but considering Greinke's pending free agency, that would be on the high side of expectations.