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Brewers Get Greinke In Exchange For Greinke Clone
The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a deal for Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke in exchange for a package of players.
Jason Wood, the agent for minor league pitcher Jake Odorizzi, confirms his client is included as part of the deal.
The trade, originally reported by Jim Breen of Bernie’s crew, includes a package that includes Odorizzi, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, shortstop Alcides Escobar and pitcher Jeremy Jeffress in exchange for Greinke, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million.
Since the trade of Brett Lawrie to the Toronto Blue Jays in return for pitcher Shawn Marcum, Odorizzi was largely considered the best prospect in the Brewers’ farm system.
The Brewers got Greinke in exchange for a player whose closest comparison is, ironically, Zack Greinke. In an interview with Maple Street Press Brewers Annual in November, Chris Hook–pitching coach for Low-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (where Odorizzi pitched in 2010)–said Greinke was the closest comparison to Odorizzi.
“He’s got a good fastball, he’s got command and control,” said Hook. “He has average to above average major league offspeed stuff. He’s got a repeatable delivery that looks clean and fluid. So to me, the comparison is Zack Greinke.
“Is he going to be like Zack and sitting in the 95 to 96. I don’t he’s going to be that kind of guy. I think he’s going to sit 93, 94 and be able to get to 96 at times, but I think he’s going to be that type of guy. Will it be a no. 1, a no. 1 starter? I don’t know, but I can see him, if everything goes right, I can see him being a solid no. 2 starter in the big leagues.”
When asked to compare himself to a major league pitcher, Odorizzi chose Greinke.
“He’s a four-pitch guy, and I consider myself a four-pitch guy,” said Odorizzi. “I remember when I was kind of growing up, younger-well not too much younger–I guess I could a little of myself in him.”
The trade is expected to be announced by the Brewers at 1 p.m. this afternoon.
2 Comments
Brian, your headline “Brewers Get Greinke In Exchange For Greinke Clone” would be PERFECT for The Onion.
-or-
“Brewers Get Greinke for Mannequin Dressed Like Lorenzo Cain.”
Still, a great article, as always.
Maybe we could send a mannequin to K.C. and keep Lorenzo Cain. You think they’d notice?