According to Dutton he didn’t ask so much if Greinke was looking at the impact of the minor leaguers, but more like how his role was changing from young player to veteran/mentor and Zack first mentioned the guys coming up and if they’d even be around when his contract was up. In that context, it’s a little different from an outburst and more thinking out loud.

He just hasn’t seemed all that interested in pitching this year though…and he’s still shown some pretty good performances, but he’s also had those – like in Seattle – that make you go “really? Greinke gave up that?”

“Zack’s been mostly subdued, quiet, shy. So for him to speak up this boldly, it’s got more weight behind it.”

Then Ryan LeFebvre made some great points last night during the game (and you know how much I like LeFebvre… annoying!). He talked about all the space and special treatment the team has given Zack, both while he was going through his issues when he walked away from the team, and now. Greinke is not required to talk to the media except on the days he throws. No other player is given this privledge. He also mentioned other little instances of special treatment he has/is receiving from the team.

It’s pretty shitty Zack aired these thoughts to the media at all… But especially on a day he specifically asked to be excluded from the media requirement.

But you’re right, when Zack signed the extension, all indications were that he wanted to test the market, but by signing, he was buying into the plan, so he has no right to complain. I don’t think he’s so much dogging other players yet to make it as exhibiting uncertainty. The only players who’ve made a solid impact out of the gate in recent Royals history have been Joakim Soria and Mike Aviles. Not Alex Gordon, not so much Billy Butler, not Luke Hochevar.

There’s probably a Guillen/Greinke double standard based on reputation. Guillen’s caused trouble almost everywhere he’s been, and since he’s been on ten different teams or so in his career, he’s always been that kind of person. Zack’s been mostly subdued, quiet, shy. So for him to speak up this boldly, it’s got more weight behind it. Also he’s at his peak performance-wise, so that adds more to his words.

It’s a weird example, but think of someone you work with who calls in two or three times a month, comes in late, complains about their job. When they give you an excuse why they’re late or missed a day, you don’t really hear it anymore. But if somebody never misses a day in five years calls in, well, they must REALLY be sick.

You took a much more level-headed approach to the Greinke comments than I did in my blog post, “Message to Zack: “Shut the Fuck up and Pitch!” (http://oneroyalway.com/royals-blog/pitching/message-to-zack-shut-the-fuck-up-and-pitch)

I simply got so pissed at all the Royals fans who were acting as if Greinke’s comments were like those from God… The same Royals fans who repeatedly bashed Guillen when he made similar comments.

I am simply sick of Pro players bitching about their team as a whole, the plan/strategy of the organization and wanting more money.

Zack signed his contract before the 2009 season… Long after Moore’s plan was in place and up and running. He has no right to start bitching about it now. BEFORE signing the contract is the time to complain about, or reject the strategy and move on.

Jose Guillen repeatedly called out players on the active roster. Fans, media and the organization bashed him for it.

Greinke is bashing players who are much younger, and NOT even at the MLB level, and fans & media support him.

This seems a bit backwards to me… It’s NOT okay to call out guys who you know personally and talk to every day… It IS okay to call out players who you have never met?

Doesn’t this sound a little off to you?

I agree that this group is a lot different than say, Carlos Febles, Jimmy Gobble and Kyle Snyder.

As for the rest of it: of course Zack is right. We probably aren’t going to contend by 2012. But he’s wrong to say that this rebuild is the same as any other. It definitely looks and feels different. It’s a shame that he probably won’t be around to reap the rewards though.