In his weekly "Brewers 360" segment on WTMJ radio Thursday morning, general manager confirmed what we reported on jsonline.com yesterday and in the Journal Sentinel this morning: He is taking calls with the intent of trading right-hander Zack Greinke.
"We're taking phone calls," Melvin told WTMJ's Greg Matzek. "We've been working here. I'm in the office in the 'war room' already. It's a busy week. At this point we have to listen to opportunities to improve the ball club for the future and still try to win ball games now."
Asked by Matzek how many teams have contacted him about Greinke, Melvin said, "There's a lot of teams that make contact. You try to narrow the list down in that regard. You take the serious ones.
"He pitched very well the other day (in Philadelphia), really a gem. He showed all of the skill sets we know he has. He put it on display in front of a number of scouts, which I think was a high-pressure situation for him. He turned it up a notch and pitched very well. But he's pitched well all the time we've had him."
Greinke is scheduled to start again for the Brewers on Sunday against Washington. Melvin was asked if Greinke will be traded before that start.
"He's scheduled to pitch on Sunday," said Melvin. "There's no guarantee he will be moved (before) that time. There's always possibilities. The team is back home now. He still does his work and goes out there. He knows it's a possibility. I just don't know at this time."
Asked the possibility of trying again to re-sign Greinke after he goes on the free-agent market this winter, Melvin seemed to dispute the recent report that the Brewers had made a new offer to the pitcher for five years and more than $100 million. CBSSports.com reported that new offer and Greinke confirmed it to Brewers reporters last week in Cincinnati but Melvin said there were no recent negotiations.
"We really haven't had any kind of formal negotiations in a while. We've talked about parameters," said Melvin, who indicated the Brewers didn't want to bid against themselves.
"He's at the point where he just wants to test the market. He's a young player; he's 27 years old. He played in a small market in Kansas City; he played in a smaller market here. He just wants to, at this late stage, he wants to see what the free-agent winds will blow his way, I guess. In that regard, I guess you can't blame him when you look at the Cole Hamels and Matt Cain contracts. You can't blame him for at least going out there and looking.
"WIth Zack, I don't think it's going to be about the money. It's an opportunity that only comes along once in awhile for a young player."
Melvin said catcher Jonathan Lucroy would be coming back from his minor-league rehab Thursday and if he's cleared medically, will rejoin the roster. Another move would have to be made but Melvin wouldn't say what he's thinking. The Brewers are believed to be shopping backup catcher George Kottaras on the trade market with the idea of keeping Martin Maldonado as the backup.
As for what other players he has that other teams might be interested in acquiring via trade, Melvin said, "At this time of year, the week before the trade deadline, there's a lot of exploring going on. It's a texting world out there today. You make phone calls but there are so many people texting and e-mailing. 'Would you have interest in this? We have interest in your guy.'
"So, there's a lot of conversations going on. There's some pieces here that teams would like to have. They also explore the 29 other clubs, too, to see if there are opportunities to pick somebody else up."
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/16 ... ewestfirst
