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 When the Yankees appeared to be on the verge on trading for Cliff Lee, people were up in arms. Even Yankees fans themselves were turned off as there were as many Yankee fans that didn't want to do that as there were that did. The best quote from a long time Yankee fan was, "What's the point of playing the games if you know for certain that you have all the best players and there is no way the other team can win?"
However, at least the Yankees were going to be giving up prospects for a 1/2 season rental and after the year was over, Lee was going to be on the open market. Whether the Yankees were able to then resign him or not would have nothing to do with the fact that they had him for the half year prior because Lee was clear that he wanted to test the free agent waters.
Now today comes the news that the Kansas City Royals seem willing to trade anyone they have, including last year's Cy Young winner Zack Greinke. Of course, right away this news turned into, will the Yankees go after him. Did you expect a different headline from the NY Post?
Before you jump up and down complaining that the Yankees would once again get one of the very best players in baseball......, if the Kansas City Royals trade Zack Greinke to ANYONE at this time, they are the ones to blame and no one else. You would have to be a fool not to trade for such a young talent that is locked up through 2012. There isn't a team in the game that would not assume his contract. Even the Pittsburgh Pirates would find the money for it.
For those of you who want to talk about his subpar year to date and say that he's not a great player, that's hog wash. Sure he's not pitching like last year but in a "crappy year" he's still pitching to a 1.143 WHIP which places him 8th best on the list of full time starters in the AL in terms of the average number of runner placed on base per inning. If that's having a crappy year, I'll sign for a career of crappy years for my fantasy baseball staff right now and kick the butt of your fantasy team up and down the standings for years to come......
Zack Greinke isn't untouchable?
In 2008, the Royals were able to lock up their ace for the next four for $38 million. That's $9.5 million per year. Take a look at the top 25 salaries in baseball.
The first thing that jumps out at you is that the top four salaries in baseball are all players who play for the Yankees. When you consider that the Yankees have 25% of the highest paid players in baseball on their team, it seems a bit over the top, but it is what it is and we are all sick of pointing it out. On the flip side, it's not all rosy for the Yankees as I'm sure most other teams in the league laugh pretty hard at the fact the Yankees pay AJ Burnett $16,500 million per year....
The next thing you notice is that the 25th player, Hiroki Kuroda is making 63% more than Greinke at just under $15,500 million this year. We're talking Hiroki Kuroda! I don't even know what a Hiroki or a Kuroda is!
How in the world and for what in return could the Royals trade one of the very best pitchers in baseball who they have under contract for almost another 2 ½ years as such a discounted rate?
I understand that the Royals owner may be willing to sell the team. Does he think the team is worth more with Greinke off the team? If the Royals trade Zack Greinke to anyone for anything, neither the Yankees nor any other acquiring team should catch any flack. You can't blame teams who succeed because of the ineptness of others. - Gregory Shapiro
Greg is an orthopedic surgeon that has a number of professional athletes including MLB & NFL players as patients. He's an avid MLB & NFL fan and fantasy participant with some unique insight into the world of professional athletes.
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