MLB Trade Rumors 2019: Top 25 assets

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 20: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 19: Zack Greinke #21 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch in the third inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on June 19, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

11. Zack Greinke

It won’t be easy for the Arizona Diamondbacks to move right-hander Zack Greinke given his massive contract, but it’s not totally out of the question. If the Detroit Tigers can get out from under some of Justin Verlander’s salary, the Diamondbacks can do the same with Greinke if they’re motivated to eat some of the contract in exchange for better prospects. After a rocky first season with Arizona, Greinke has made two straight trips to the All-Star Game and is on track for a third.

The Diamondbacks went big with the Greinke signing, but it hasn’t totally worked out for them as a whole. Yes, they made a trip to the playoffs, but his six-year contract made it impossible to keep All-Star and perennial MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt. The Diamondbacks are heading into a mini-rebuild and don’t have a great farm system to begin with. They won’t mortgage the future on a shot at this year’s second Wild Card spot in the National League.

Greinke has continued to reinvent himself as a pitcher as he ages and looks set to continue turning in high-level seasons well into his late-30s. He is 7-2 so far this year with a 2.87 ERA. Greinke is 39-20 over the last three seasons with a 3.15 ERA and also has two Gold Gloves. He has pretty much lived up to his contract with the Diamondbacks even if the franchise hasn’t contended as hoped.

With two years remaining on the deal at $35 million a pop, Greinke isn’t cheap. The Diamondbacks could elect to eat as much of the salary as possible to get elite prospects or ask another contender to take some of the money on and bring back a lesser haul.

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