Brewers GM takes phone calls on Greinke
MILWAUKEE - The phone lines have been busy in Milwaukee Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin's office as teams try to make their pitch to get one of the best pitchers in baseball, Zach Greinke.
"We're taking phone calls," said Melvin on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."
"We've been working here in the war room already. It's a busy week. We're working on opportunities to improve the ball club for the future while winning ball games now."
The Brewers, who was hoping to become a buyer in the trade market, have become a seller after losing six straight games, the last four by one run. They are now far out of the National League playoff race.
Greinke (9-3, 3.44 ERA) gave up one run in seven innings Tuesday night against Philadelphia, while also hitting a home run in what might be his final pitching appearance in Milwaukee.
"He pitched very well the other day. All the skill sets that he has, he put on display in front of a number of scouts," admitted Melvin.
"He's scheduled to pitch on Sunday. There's no guarantee. There's always the possibility."
Greinke said the Brewers have offered him a five-year deal worth more than $100 million for the future, but according to Melvin, that has led to the soon-to-be free agent testing the market.
"We really haven't had any formal negotiations with Zach in a while. He's at the stage that he just wants to test the market. He's a young player, he's 27 years old. He loves it here...but the free agent winds will blow his way."
The Brewers also re-instated catcher Jonathan Lucroy from the disabled list, designated George Kottaras for assignment, selected the contract of pitcher Jim Henderson from their AAA team in Nashville, and optioned infielder Jeff Bianchi to Nashville.
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