The no-trade clause in the contract of Kansas City Royals ace Zack Greinke has included the Red Sox and Yankees, but the chances he can block a move to those teams may soon decrease.
Greinke had the ability to block trades to 20 teams the last two seasons, but that number drops to 15 in 2011, according to FoxSports.
Additionally, once the non-waiver deadline passes next July 31, Greinke has no say in such matters. His contract expires after the 2012 season.
Greinke, who turns 27 on Thursday, will make $13.5 million in 2011 and again in 2012. He has indicated he would like to join a contender if the Royals do not improve before the contract expires, and the organization said it will listen to offers.
The former first-round pick was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 after going 16-8 with a 2.16 mark the year before and claiming the American League Cy Young Award.
It would take a bevy of prospects to reel in the star righty but the Sox may be one of the teams equipped to make such an offer. Greinke may soon lop Boston off his no-trade list, or lose his leverage in deals altogether, making such a blockbuster trade that much more possible.
