Orioles "Going Hard" After Zack Greinke......Just Like I Said They Should A Month Ago

With the non-waiver trade deadline coming at the end of the month, the Orioles are "going hard" after Milwaukee Brewers' Zack Greinke, according to an industry source.

The source, an executive with another big-league club, said the Orioles appear to be the most aggressive suitor currently for Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner who is a free-agent at the end of the season. (Baltimore Sun)

I really hate being right all the time. This is the type of trade I would love to see the O's make. Unlike the Thome trade, this will make the team better for the future as well as solidify their roster for the 2nd half of this season. Greinke is only 28 years old. He went 16-6 last season and is already 9-2 in 2012. So critics wonder if he will be able to handle life in the AL East. I'm sure you can make this argument for any National League pitcher.

A rotation featuring Greinke, Hammel, and Chen will keep the Orioles competitive during the dog days of summer. Add Dylan Bundy sometime next season and possibly a cheap free veteran pitcher in the offseason and the main weakness of the Orioles franchise quickly becomes a strength. We'll see if Dan Duquette pulls the trigger before the trading deadline on July 31st.