For those who haven’t heard, the Royals traded Zack Greinke to Milwaukee today, along with the terrible Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million, for a package of young players.
This is ludicrous.
When teams like the Royals and Pirates and Indians talk about developing young talent, they mean to say that it’s the primary route toward winning. As in, “No, we can’t spend like the big guys. But we can draft wisely, bring our own guys up, sign them to longterm deals and become contenders.” It’s logical and wise—but almost never practiced.
Greinke is 27-years young. He was drafted by the Royals and, despite a so-so 2010, is a legitimate No. 1 starter. He is the exact type of player Kansas City is supposed to keep and build around.
But, no. Teams like the Royals develop players, allow them to have one or two good seasons, then deal them for more young players. It’s a never-ending merry-go-round, where these franchises basically nurture their stars, then send them elsewhere. Believe me, in another couple of years the players acquired from Milwaukee will be used as chips. It’s how it goes.
Meanwhile, the 54 remaining KC fans are told to be patient and wait for better days.
They will never arrive.
