“It’s sad to see the Royals forced to move their best player, sad that he wanted out of Kansas City so much, and sad that owner David Glass can’t or won’t spend the money required to keep their franchise pitcher. There is no spin from this, no way to get past the cold truth that the Royals blew a once-in-a-generation opportunity of having one of the best young pitchers in baseball who would be inclined to stay in Kansas City if convinced it would be worth his time.”Sam Mellinger, after Zack Greinke was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Star
GH: There is much emotion expelled after a fan base loses one of their franchise’s greatest all-time players. And make no mistake, Greinke was one of the best to ever wear Royals blue – no matter how some of the media haters want to paint the former Cy Young winner. Read on.
“Greinke had only one good season with the Royals! Let’s get real! 2009 ain’t never happening again for Zack Greinke! He will never pitch that well again!”
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: Here is what’s real – the Royals franchise has been a loser for two decades. Why would an elite pitcher in his prime want to squander what’s left of his talents here in Mudville? Hey, I want the Royals to turn it around as much as the next fan but why rip Greinke for wanting out? Why diminish what he did as a Royals because you’re bitter he’s leaving? This kind of talk sounds juvenile to me but KK’s far from alone in this line of thinking. Read on.
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: Here is what’s real – the Royals franchise has been a loser for two decades. Why would an elite pitcher in his prime want to squander what’s left of his talents here in Mudville? Hey, I want the Royals to turn it around as much as the next fan but why rip Greinke for wanting out? Why diminish what he did as a Royals because you’re bitter he’s leaving? This kind of talk sounds juvenile to me but KK’s far from alone in this line of thinking. Read on.
“I must also admit that I was not a fan of Greinke…His act had worn thin…I think he would have tanked next year in a KC uniform.”
Steven St. John, Twitter
GH: How could you be a Royals’ fan but not a fan of Greinke? St. John’s strength as a very entertaining radio sports talk host lies in his passion for the local teams he has followed all his life. He is an unabashed diehard fan of Mizzou, the Chiefs and the Royals. It is also his greatest weakness as an opinionated sports analyst. He follows his heart almost every time when it comes to breaking down a game, a trade or even a phone call. It’s why I give far more credence to his takes on music and movie than his sports takes.
Steven St. John, Twitter
GH: How could you be a Royals’ fan but not a fan of Greinke? St. John’s strength as a very entertaining radio sports talk host lies in his passion for the local teams he has followed all his life. He is an unabashed diehard fan of Mizzou, the Chiefs and the Royals. It is also his greatest weakness as an opinionated sports analyst. He follows his heart almost every time when it comes to breaking down a game, a trade or even a phone call. It’s why I give far more credence to his takes on music and movie than his sports takes.
“There is no loyalty in professional sports, it’s a dog-eat-dog world. Not only did the Royals invest millions of dollars in Greinke, they were there for him when he was fighting for his life. The Royals deserved a cleaner exit from Zack Greinke.”
Jack Harry, Jack’s Smack on TV 41
GH: Love when a media guy starts in on an athlete for not being “loyal” to a professional franchise. There is no loyalty in professional sports except from the fans – who are abused and used repeatedly by the owners and players.
Jack Harry, Jack’s Smack on TV 41
GH: Love when a media guy starts in on an athlete for not being “loyal” to a professional franchise. There is no loyalty in professional sports except from the fans – who are abused and used repeatedly by the owners and players.
“It would surprise me if he goes into remission for what (anxiety) problems that bothered him before.”
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: So just because Greinke is taking his talents to Suds Beach, KK wants to put the whammy on him and root for a mental breakdown? Classy bunch of fans here in KC. Husker fans could learn a lot.
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: So just because Greinke is taking his talents to Suds Beach, KK wants to put the whammy on him and root for a mental breakdown? Classy bunch of fans here in KC. Husker fans could learn a lot.
“I don’t believe just because he has a Cy Young year, he has the right to say that stuff about the organization.”
Billy Butler, MLB Network, on Greinke’s comments last season that the Royals’ prospects were unproven and too far away from making the big club for him to hold out hope in Kansas City, XM Radio
GH: Butler also acknowledged that what Greinke said about the Royals’ organization was accurate. What I did like about what Butler had to say was that he would like to be a Royals’ player who plays every day of his career in a Royals uniform. It will be interesting to see if Dayton Moore feels the same.
Billy Butler, MLB Network, on Greinke’s comments last season that the Royals’ prospects were unproven and too far away from making the big club for him to hold out hope in Kansas City, XM Radio
GH: Butler also acknowledged that what Greinke said about the Royals’ organization was accurate. What I did like about what Butler had to say was that he would like to be a Royals’ player who plays every day of his career in a Royals uniform. It will be interesting to see if Dayton Moore feels the same.
“He clearly didn’t want to be here and if he didn’t want to be here, I didn’t want him to be here.”
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: That’s what she said.
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: That’s what she said.
“There are no heroes in this story, only villains, and any added optimism for the future will have to wait for the layered emotions of today to fade.”
Sam Mellinger, Kansas City Star
GH: A very pessimistic view from The Mellinger. While it is unfortunate to see yet another All-Star leave town, four prospects will head south with some promise.
Sam Mellinger, Kansas City Star
GH: A very pessimistic view from The Mellinger. While it is unfortunate to see yet another All-Star leave town, four prospects will head south with some promise.
“When you see this guy (Alcides Escobar) in spring training, your eyes are going to pop out of your head! He is right now the best fielding shortstop in the American League – and I don’t think I’m exaggerating. He has cannon for an arm. He is a highlight film defensively. He’s not going to be a great hitter but his defense will always make up for it.”
Bill Johnson, a Milwaukee reporter from 540 ESPN, interviewed by Soren Petro on the Royals new shortstop, 810 AM
Bill Johnson, a Milwaukee reporter from 540 ESPN, interviewed by Soren Petro on the Royals new shortstop, 810 AM
“Escobar was considered the Brewers’ shortstop for years to come when installed as a rookie starter in 2010. Cain played very well as the starting centerfielder over the final six weeks of the season and was the favorite to win that job next season. Odorizzi is considered the top pitching prospect in the organization after a brilliant season at Class A Wisconsin. Jeffress, a first-round draft pick in 2006, was impressive out of the Brewers’ bullpen in September and has one of the best fastballs in the game.”
Tom Haudricourt, writer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
GH: Might not mean squat that these four show potential but I like the trade. A pitcher, no matter how good, is the most fragile piece of any MLB team. I wish Greinke well and I will root for him every fifth day in Milwaukee. But he needed to go to be a winner. It’s David Glass’ job to make sure this club doesn’t face the same issues four years from now with their next superstar.
Tom Haudricourt, writer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
GH: Might not mean squat that these four show potential but I like the trade. A pitcher, no matter how good, is the most fragile piece of any MLB team. I wish Greinke well and I will root for him every fifth day in Milwaukee. But he needed to go to be a winner. It’s David Glass’ job to make sure this club doesn’t face the same issues four years from now with their next superstar.
“While the price for Greinke was steep, it was necessary to pay. The Brewers are once again contenders and Milwaukee is, for the first time in three years, genuinely pumped up about its team’s chances. That alone is worth its weight in gold.”
Dan O’Donnell, The O’Blog, WTMJ Milwaukee
GH: When these words can confidently be written by a Royals’ reporter, we’ll know we are not simply being fed another JoPo-esque sunny-side-both-sides pipe dream.
Dan O’Donnell, The O’Blog, WTMJ Milwaukee
GH: When these words can confidently be written by a Royals’ reporter, we’ll know we are not simply being fed another JoPo-esque sunny-side-both-sides pipe dream.
“I think for the most part I have done my part — and I write how I feel not how they want me to write — to promote this organization.”
Greg Schaum, who covers the Royals online at royalsprospects.com and can be followed at Greg_Schaum on Twitter
GH: If the Royals are upset with negative press, play better baseball. Draft better players. Win more frickin’ games. It ain’t the media or the messenger. It is the franchise that is creating the negative vibes about the Royals.
Greg Schaum, who covers the Royals online at royalsprospects.com and can be followed at Greg_Schaum on Twitter
GH: If the Royals are upset with negative press, play better baseball. Draft better players. Win more frickin’ games. It ain’t the media or the messenger. It is the franchise that is creating the negative vibes about the Royals.
“They have no excuses now in 2013 and 2014 for this ballclub not to be a contending team.”
Brian McRae, after the Greinke trade, TV 41
Brian McRae, after the Greinke trade, TV 41
“I think it’s a good trade. I’m optimistic about how this thing is shaking out.”
Soren Petro, 810 AM
Soren Petro, 810 AM
“I think this trade helps the Royals. I like it as of now. I think people would be upset no matter what.”
Bob Fescoe, Twitter
Bob Fescoe, Twitter
“I hope it works out great for the Royals and just awfully for the Brewers! I really mean that! I hope it just blows up for them!”
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
“This one is a big-boys trade. This one has to work out or (Dayton Moore) is going to lose his job as the general manager.”
Soren Petro, 810 AM
Soren Petro, 810 AM
“We’re not going to be able to keep them all. We’re going to try and keep some and hope we keep the right ones.”
Dayton Moore, 610 AM
GH: I would prefer Moore to say, “We’re going to keep all the good ones.” I think that’s what the big boys do. Time to grow up and become a big boy, Royals. How long do you expect us to smell this clubs’ dirty diapers and smile?
Dayton Moore, 610 AM
GH: I would prefer Moore to say, “We’re going to keep all the good ones.” I think that’s what the big boys do. Time to grow up and become a big boy, Royals. How long do you expect us to smell this clubs’ dirty diapers and smile?
What a ridiculous take … even by KK standards …
%u201CI hope it works out great for the Royals and just awfully for the Brewers! I really mean that! I hope it just blows up for them!%u201D
As big of a Cardinals hater he is you would think he’d be rooting for Greinke now that he’s in the NL Central.
I really don’t think Zack intentionally took that big of a shot at KC. He doesn’t express himself well. His speaking skills are at about a junior high level.
Good luck, Zack. Hopefully it turns out well for both teams.
What I would have done…
Keep Greinke and order the manager to have him throw 130-150 per outing. After one or so seasons of that change the name on the back of his jersey to Meche, Jr..
No One Keeps All the Good Ones
No one should criticize the Royals for not keeping Zach Greinke. The Twins have let several aces go over the years. Most MLB teams have let great players go because they can’t afford them. No team can keep all the the good ones. You can’t have $120 million players at every position.
The Royals do, however, need to have a fair competition in Spring Training and let the best players play. Too often, the final 25 man roster is decided before pitchers and catchers even report. Too many of the Royals’ rookies are 26 or 27 years old. We have the best prospects in baseball. Bring them up and let them play!
KK once again showed his true colors. He’s a petty little man who couldn’t wait to spew hatred for Greinke. After hearing KK (who i could only stomach for about five minutes) and the others tear down him today, is anyone surprised the kid didn’t like talking to anyone? They’re upset that he spoke the truth and they didn’t want to hear it. Everything that pushed Greinke away was David Glass’ fault, not Greinke’s. I wish Greinke nothing but the best and sincerely hope he throws a CG shutout if he ever gets to face the Royals.
Mark Fidrych
I think Greinke is spent. His 15 minutes is up. Good trade. But Moore’s job is riding on this. Like he cares. The Braves will call him back and give him 100 Mil to spend a year.
Royals are a bad job.
What people don’t understand is that for a player being in MLB is their job. Lets face it, being a ball player for the Royals is a BAD JOB!!!! If you’re a 18-22 year-old with a lot of talent and get drafted by the Royals you just shut up, keep quite and play the best you can until you become a free agent and FIND A BETTER JOB!!!! Greinke has a better job right now.
Jack Harry
Where is there loyalty anywhere nowadays? Jack Harry, as irrelevant as he is, holds out Grienke as though he’s some shining example of disloyalty in sports. Zack is a smart guy, he’s just looking out for his own interests, like anyone else would. If Jack got a huge offer to go work for ESPN, he would take it and the money and never think twice about his former employer. Zack doesn’t owe us anything. He especially doesn’t owe the media anything. It’s funny to watch the Jack Harrys and KKs of the world spout off and not even come close to representing the view of their viewership/listenership. Sports media in Kansas City is the world’s biggest echo chamber.
Greg, does this say it all about the Greinke trade?
From Rany on the Royals.
“The Royals had a once-in-a-decade, if not once-in-a-generation opportunity: they had a superstar player who was not seduced by the bright lights of the big cities, a player who would have been willing to wear a Royals uniform for his entire career if they would just stop sucking, and they blew it.