Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke will definitely be dealt prior to Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline, team general manager Doug Melvin told USA TODAY.
Greinke, who is in the final season of a four-year, $38 million contract, is 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 21 starts this season.
Melvin told the newspaper the Brewers haven't had contract negotiations with Greinke since spring training and were informed the right-hander wants to test the free-agent market.
The newspaper reported the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels have all been in pursuit of Greinke.
"There are so many good things about him, it's going to be difficult when we trade him," Melvin told the newspaper.
Melvin also said the Brewers made the decision to trade Greinke after the most recent road trip when they went 0-6. That included three straight 7-6 losses at Philadelphia, when the Phillies rallied to win each game in their final at- bat. Milwaukee entered Thursday night's home contest against Washington with a 44-53 record, which was 13 1/2 games behind NL Central-leading Cincinnati.
Greinke, 28, is riding a 15-game home winning streak, the longest in Brewers franchise history. He is the fourth starting pitcher in modern major league history (since 1900) to win each of his first 15 home decisions with a team, joining Johnny Allen, LaMarr Hoyt and Kenny Rogers.
Earlier this month, Greinke made three straight starts for the Brewers, becoming the first pitcher to start three consecutive games since Red Faber of the White Sox back in 1917.
A first-round draft selection by Kansas City in 2002, Greinke broke into the majors with the Royals in 2004. He pitched for KC through the 2010 season before being traded to the Brewers. In 259 career games (218 starts), he has compiled an 85-76 record to go with a 3.79 ERA.
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