Yankees: How far-fetched is a deal for Zack Greinke?

With Patrick Corbin signing a six-year deal with the Nationals, the Yankees list of starting pitching options has shortened. Could the Bronx Bombers realistically turn their sights toward another pitcher from the desert?

The Yankees have made it pretty clear they’re “all in” on improving their starting rotation this offseason.

However, over the past few days, the Yanks have watched two of the top free agent pitchers, Patrick Corbin and Nathan Eovaldi, sign with other teams. That leaves the Bombers with a decision to make: Sign one of the remaining free agent arms (Dallas Keuchel, J.A. Happ, Charlie Morton or Yusei Kikuchi), or be willing to give up highly-regarded prospects in a trade for a top-flight starter.

Assuming the Yankees choose to do the latter, there may be an option other than Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.

After losing All-Stars Patrick Corbin and Paul Goldschmidt this offseason, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in the beginning stages of a full rebuild. The rest of this winter for Arizona will be focused on trading anyone they can to bolster their farm system for the future.

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With that being said, Brian Cashman may want to give Arizona’s GM, Mike Hazen, a call about right-hander Zack Greinke.

Greinke, 35, is a five-time All-Star (2009, 2014-2015, 2017-2018), a Cy Young Award Winner (2009) and a five-time Gold Glove Winner (2014-2018).

In 2015, Greinke left the Dodgers to sign a six-year, $206.5 million deal with Arizona. In his three years in the desert, Greinke has posted a 3.59 ERA and recorded 548 strikeouts over 567.5 innings.

The obvious problem with Greinke is the baggage that follows him. With three years remaining on his massive contract, the Yankees would need to find a way to make a deal work while also getting Greinke to waive his no-trade clause, which includes the Yanks.

One way New York could go about making a deal is by asking for more in return. With the $104.5 left on Greinke’s contract, the Yankees could ask for additional players due to the amount of money they would be taking off the Dbacks’ payroll.

One intriguing piece that could be added is reliever Archie Bradley. Bradley, 26, has been a solid bullpen piece for the Dbacks over the last two years, posting 154 strikeouts in 139 appearances. Bradley sports a 96-mph fastball and sinker, which pairs well with his 82-mph curveball.

Chances are the Yanks will not be able to hold on to both David Robertson and Zach Britton this offseason, leaving gaping holes in their ‘pen. The addition of Bradley would fill one of those needs and provide some much-needed heat to the backend of the Yankees staff.

The other way the deal could get done is if the Yankees could find a way to include Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury, 35, is someone the Yankees would love to move this offseason to clear a roster spot for Clint Frazier. Ellsbury is owed $42,285,714 million over the next two years.

The Dbacks could also use an outfielder next season, as it looks as if free-agent A.J. Pollock will not be returning to be a part of the rebuild.

All in all, the Yankees have plenty of options and paths this offseason when it comes to improving their starting rotation. Trading for Greinke has its perks and a few disadvantages. Even if they do not plan to be “all in” on Greinke, it is definitely a phone call they should make.