MLB Trade Rumors: Zack Greinke Next After Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers On No-Trade List

The Arizona Diamondbacks have begun to rebuild by dealing arguably the best position player in the history of the franchise. The team agreed to trade Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, and it will likely be the first of a few moves for the organization this offseason.

Now that Goldschmidt is gone, Arizona will look to trade Zack Greinke. The Diamondbacks are hoping to get rid of the starting pitcher and the $106.5 million he’s owed over the next three years. Goldschmidt is set to become a free agent after the 2019 MLB season.

Moving Greinke won’t be easy. The 35-year-old has the highest-year salary in MLB history. He’s still very productive with two straight All-Star appearances, though the right-hander isn’t putting up the numbers that got him the record-breaking contract.

Greinke has posted a 3.20 ERA and a 3.21 ERA in the last two seasons. He had ERAs of 2.63, 2.71 and 1.66 with the Los Angeles Dodgers before going to Arizona in the 2015 offseason as a free agent.

Arizona will likely have to pay some of the money left on Greinke’s contract the way the Seattle Mariners are paying part of Robinson Cano's deal after sending him to the New York Mets. It could take some time before the Diamondbacks find a deal because Greinke’s contract and no-trade clause limit the number of potential trade partners.

Greinke has a list of 15 teams that can’t acquire him without his approval. The Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly among the teams on the list.

The Diamondbacks went 82-80 last season after winning the 2017 NL Wild-Card Game. They could lose arguably their five best players before the start of next year.

Patrick Corbin has signed a reported six-year, $140 million contract with the Washington Nationals after being Arizona’s WAR leader in 2018. Outfielder David Peralta hit 30 home runs, and he could be traded along with Greinke.

Outfielder A.J. Pollock is a free agent and likely to sign with another team.