The Milwaukee Brewers acquired 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zach Greinke, putting them into playoff contention for the upcoming season.
But the price for Greinke was heavy. They sent starting shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and top pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi as well as a player to be named later to the Royals. Besides Greinke, the Brewers did get shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and some cash to help with Greinke’s salary.
So the Brewers starting rotation now figures to be Greinke, newly acquired Shaun Marcum, Yovani Gallardo and left handers Joe Wolf and Chris Narveson.
Greinke won the Cy Young Award in 2009. He went 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA that season. He has two years left on his current contract, a deal that will pay him around $27-million.
Betancourt hit .259 with 16 home runs and 78 rbi’s in 151 games with the Royals last season.
The deal means the Brewers will likely hang on to Prince Fielder instead of trading him during the off-season.