{"id":2325,"date":"2010-12-19T15:58:18","date_gmt":"2010-12-19T21:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/?p=2325"},"modified":"2010-12-19T16:00:45","modified_gmt":"2010-12-19T22:00:45","slug":"thoughts-and-reflections-greinke-trade-brewers-rotation-royals-farm-wood-laroche-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/archives\/2325","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts and Reflections: Greinke trade, Brewers rotation, Royals farm, Wood, LaRoche and more&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/zack_greinke.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2326\" title=\"zack_greinke\" src=\"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/zack_greinke-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/zack_greinke-300x214.jpg 300w, http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/zack_greinke.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/sports.espn.go.com\/mlb\/news\/story?id=5935586\">ESPN\u2019s Buster Olney<\/a> finally confirmed last night\u2019s rumor that <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greinza01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Zack  Greinke<\/a><\/strong> had been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, a story that was first reported by Jim Breen of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/blogs\/sports\/fanblogs\/berniescrew.html\">Bernie\u2019s Crew<\/a>.\u00a0 The Kansas City Royals will send Greinke and another major league player \u2013 suspected to be <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/betanyu01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Yuniesky  Betancourt<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 to the Brewers, and the Royals will receive shortstop <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/escobal02.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Alcides  Escobar<\/a><\/strong>, outfielder <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cainlo01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Lorenzo  Cain<\/a><\/strong>, flame-throwing right hander <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jeffrje01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Jeremy  Jeffress<\/a><\/strong>, and 2008 first-round draft pick, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=odoriz001jac\">Jake  Odorizzi<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>With the acquisition of Greinke, the Brewers have made it clear that the 2011 season will be do or die, especially with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fieldpr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Prince  Fielder<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s looming free agency prior to 2012.\u00a0 If they aren\u2019t having the season that they expected by the All-Star break, it wouldn\u2019t surprise me to see both Fielder and Greinke be dealt, respectively.\u00a0 The 2009 A.L. Cy Young winner is set to join a Brewers\u2019 rotation that includes <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gallayo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">Yovani Gallardo<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/narvech01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Chris  Narveson<\/a><\/strong>, and the recently acquired <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/marcush01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Shaun  Marcum<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!--more--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Royals add even more young talent to a rich farm system that already includes <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=montgo001mic\">Mike  Montgomery<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=hosmer001eri\">Eric  Hosmer<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=mousta001mik\">Mike  Moustakas<\/a><\/strong>, and Will Myers.\u00a0 Although they are trading away their ace, the Royals continue to fill the holes within their system and should be an incredibly exciting team in a few years.\u00a0 I&#8217;m still rooting for <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gordoal01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Alex  Gordon<\/a><\/strong>, if you&#8217;re curious.\u00a0 I\u2019m actually excited to see the White Sox play them this year, which is something that I haven\u2019t said since, well\u2026ever.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>I honestly think that Royals got the better end of the deal, if only for the fact that they were able to ditch <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/betanyu01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Yuniesky  Betancourt<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 That guy is ridiculously lazy and an absolute nightmare- I\u2019m sorry, Brewers\u2019 fans, but it\u2019s true.\u00a0 The guy makes my insides hurt worse than a night of stiff drinks followed by six, Jack-in-the-Box tacos at 3 a.m.\u00a0 They need to seriously consider designating him for assignment and finding a cheap alternative, such as <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/renteed01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Edgar  Renteria<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 If they were also expecting to trade <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/escobal02.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Alcides  Escobar<\/a><\/strong>, perhaps it might have been worth their while to have explored a trade for <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ryanbr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Brendan  Ryan<\/a><\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>When I heard the rumor that the Florida Marlins might be <a href=\"http:\/\/hardballtalk.nbcsports.com\/2010\/12\/18\/marlins-may-look-to-trade-right-hander-ricky-nolasco\/\">interested in trading<\/a> <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nolasri01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Ricky  Nolasco<\/a><\/strong>, my first thought was that the Brewers might be a good fit.\u00a0 And now after seeing the quality of talent that the Brew Crew gave up for Greinke, I wonder if this would have been a wiser move.\u00a0 When we had Nolasco\u2019s agent, <a href=\"..\/archives\/1497\">Matt Sosnick<\/a>, on The Baseball Show, he stated that he was hopeful that the Marlins and his client could work out an extension this off-season.\u00a0 If it seems increasingly unlikely, it wouldn\u2019t be a terrible idea for the Marlins to trade him while his value is high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>As a baseball fan, the thought of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodke02.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Kerry  Wood<\/a><\/strong> returning to the team and city that never stopped loving him is pretty heartwarming.\u00a0 The first time that Wood is called in to the game, or even stirs a bit in the \u2018pen, will undoubtedly bring the crazed fans at the Friendly Confines to their feet.\u00a0 His signing also gives the Cubs the freedom to shift <a href=\"http:\/\/cubbiescrib.com\/2010\/12\/18\/andrew-cashner-to-the-rotation\/\">Andrew Cashner to the rotation<\/a>, where he had spent most of his minor league career.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Apparently the Baltimore Orioles are <a href=\"http:\/\/hardballtalk.nbcsports.com\/2010\/12\/18\/os-offer-to-adam-laroche-is-three-years-16-18m\/\">close to a deal<\/a> with first baseman <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/larocad01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Adam  LaRoche<\/a><\/strong> that will pay him $16 to $18 million over three years.\u00a0 If this deal does take place, Baltimore will inevitably rival the Diamondbacks for the overall, team strikeout total.\u00a0 Regardless, the Orioles are paying a bit too much for a guy who <a href=\"..\/..\/archives\/983\">looks like Bert<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Speaking of strikeout-prone first basemen, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2010\/12\/minor-deals-jacobs.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MlbTradeRumors+%28MLB+Trade+Rumors%29\">Colorado Rockies signed<\/a> <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jacobmi02.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Mike  Jacobs<\/a><\/strong> to minor league deal; he will now be making $14K per month unless he reaches the majors.\u00a0 Jacobs continues to stay afloat in baseball despite his refusal to make any adjustments.\u00a0 Sure, he can murder the baseball(when he hits it), but the guy is still unfamiliar with the merits of a quality at-bat.\u00a0 And please, someone tell him that he <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thenatsblog.com\/images\/stories\/mike-jacobs.jpg\">looks like an ass<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The San Diego Padres have added a pretty nice double-play combo in <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hudsoor01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Orlando  Hudson<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bartlja01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Jason  Bartlett<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 It seems that every time Hudson is a free agent, he is always one of the best, if not the best, second basemen on the market\u2026or at least <a href=\"http:\/\/feedproxy.google.com\/%7Er\/MlbTradeRumors\/%7E3\/jptP7L-kuJc\/padres-to-sign-orlando-hudson.html\">he gets paid like it<\/a>.\u00a0 No disrespect to the O-Dawg, but the guy can\u2019t stay healthy, not to mention he just turned 33 this month.\u00a0 Still, not bad for a guy who was drafted in the 43<sup>rd<\/sup> round, 1280<sup>th<\/sup> overall, in the 1997 draft.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ESPN\u2019s Buster Olney finally confirmed last night\u2019s rumor that Zack Greinke had been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, a story that was first reported by Jim Breen of Bernie\u2019s Crew.\u00a0 The Kansas City Royals will send Greinke and another major league player \u2013 suspected to be Yuniesky Betancourt \u2013 to the Brewers, and the Royals [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1300,6,16,9,11,13,10,14],"tags":[393,1539,1531,1490,541,1203,260,428,1105,1536,643,1534,1541,1533,302,602,1532,508,1540,1535,1342,193,1542,773,1538,210,1537,194,706,171],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2325"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2329,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325\/revisions\/2329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}