By Justin Worsley,
Two seasons after losing ace pitcher CC Sabathia to free agency, the Milwaukee Brewers have found themselves on the outside looking in when the postseason arrives. Now, with a new ace, they hope their fortunes can change.
Milwaukee has agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Royals to acquire 2009 American League Cy Young-award winning pitcher Zack Greinke along with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash considerations for shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-handed pitchers Jake Ordorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress.
Greinke, 27, went 10-14 last season with a 4.17 ERA just a season after his Cy Young-winning campaign where he went 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA and a career-high 242 strikeouts.
Kansas City was reported to have been listening to offers for Greinke, however, Greinke has a no-trade clause in his contract and was able to block 15 teams from being allowed to acquire him, including the New York Yankees.
New York was searching for another top-notch pitcher this offseason and spent much time targeting Cliff Lee. When Lee ultimately spurned the Yankees, rumors began to circulate that they would try to obtain Greinke. Many critics saw this as a bad fit, however, due to Greinke's history of social anxiety problems. Greinke missed the entire 2006 season due to a bout with depression and refused to pose on the cover of Sports Illustrated after winning the Cy Young award.
The 2011 season is the last chance Milwaukee has to impress first baseman Prince Fielder before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Brewers also traded for pitcher Shaun Marcum last month.
The Brewers projected rotation features Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, Marcum, Randy Wolf and Chris Naverson.
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