If the New York Yankees somehow lose out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, they still may have a shot at getting an ace to go alongside CC Sabathia.Here's what Passan said about the expected cost of a Greinke deal:
Though Kansas City starter Zack Greinke has a no-trade clause in his contract that includes the Yankees and other big-market teams, a source close to the right-hander suggested he would happily pitch anywhere that would provide a winning team.
“I wouldn’t put it past him to go to New York,” the source said. “I don’t think he’d rule out anybody. He says he likes New York. Especially because they’re winners. He wants to go to a team that wins.
“He’s got a list, but in the process, a lot of people have lists.”
The source suggested Greinke’s preference for a no-trade clause had nothing to do with his feelings about pitching in a large market, as many have interpreted because of his earlier battles with anxiety issues. Instead, no-trade clauses often give a player leverage to negotiate a new contract, something that Greinke could utilize were the Royals to engage with one of the teams on his list.
If the Royals do deal Greinke, they expect return commensurate with what Texas received for Mark Teixeira in 2007: at least one major league-ready player and multiple high-level prospects.The Yankees farm system is loaded so they could make a deal like that, but should they?
Don't get me wrong, he's a great pitcher and a very good plan B. However, Jesus Montero and a few other top prospects is a lot to give up, and that's if you believe he can handle New York. Personally, I'm still not sold on the idea of a pitcher with anxiety issues handling the bright lights of The Big Apple.
