LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Rangers have been in discussions with the D-backs about pitching, and Zack Greinke's name has been prominent, Major League sources said on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings.
The clubs have not confirmed any trade talks.
The D-backs are coming off a 93-win season and Greinke is the ace of their staff. But he also still commands one of the most expensive contracts in the game, and Arizona could be motivated to unload it.
The Rangers have made starting pitching a priority this offseason, and they are interested in adding a front-of-the-rotation starter. A reunion with Yu Darvish is likely too expensive because of the asking price, but Texas is still pursuing free-agent starter Jacob Arrieta as well.
The Rangers and D-backs have had multiple discussions about starting pitching. A deal for Greinke is not close, but the two sides are continuing to talk. The financial implications are as much of an issue as the players Texas would have to give up. Greinke also has a limited no-trade clause.
Greinke is two years into a six-year, $206.5 million contract he signed with the D-backs before the 2016 season. The Rangers pursued Greinke when he was a free agent.
Greinke, 34, was 17-7 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts for Arizona last season, and he finished fifth in the National League with 215 strikeouts. His 4.78 strikeouts per walk was fourth best in the league.
Arrieta, 31, was 14-10 with a 3.53 ERA in 30 starts for the Cubs last season. He is from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, having pitched at Plano East (Texas) High School and TCU.