Where will Zack Greinke be playing at the end of the season?

Writers from around the Tribune Co.discuss Brewers pitcher and former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, who is due to become a free agent during the off-season. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the conversation with a comment of your own.

Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

The Texas Rangers became a strong player in the pursuit of Greinke with this week’s season-long injury loss of starter Colby Lewis.

The Dodgers’ Tuesday acquisition of shortstop Hanley Ramirez of Miami, however, is a strong indicator they want to win the National League West, and obtaining an arm like Greinke’s would be an obvious boost through the dog days and pennant chase.

Adding Greinke to a rotation that includes Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley would give the Dodgers an important upgrade in the actual arms race with the Giants and their Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum stockpile.

The certainty is that Greinke’s Milwaukee Brewers will reap a feast in prospects in the bidding war for the 2009 Cy Young Award winner.

Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

Zack Greinke needs important innings to pitch, and the Texas Rangers need a splash. Given the track record that Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels have of getting their men, it will be a surprise if Greinke isn’t traded to the Rangers. The Brewers not only scouted a start by Rangers’ prospect Martin Perez on Tuesday against Boston but also had a scout watching Neftali Feliz in a minor-league rehab appearance.

The Rangers have the pieces that the Brewers are looking for in a Greinke trade, including top third base prospect Mike Olt and Perez (and maybe even Feliz), and with Colby Lewis out for the season the urgency to make one happen. Look for him to be a Ranger soon.

Austin Lyon, Orlando Sentinel

With Texas frontline starter Colby Lewis gone for the season with a right elbow injury, the Rangers must add another arm to shore up their rotation and Greinke is the logical choice.

Texas executed a similar trade in 2010 when it acquired Cliff Lee from Seattle and that move helped the Rangers reach the World Series.

With a loaded farm system, Texas has more than enough pieces to make an attractive offer to Milwaukee, which appears poised to start rebuilding.

Greinke’s 2009 American League Cy Young Award is all the evidence one needs when evaluating whether he will be successful in the hitter-friendly league. His strong outing against Philadelphia on Tuesday night put to rest any questions about a possible injury.

With the Angels and suddenly surging Athletics right on the Rangers’ heels, it’s imperative they make a move for the stretch run and I believe they’ll add Greinke.

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