Right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke has been traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Milwaukee Brewers. The transaction was first reported by Jim Breen of the Bernie’s Crew blog as published in the Journal Sentinel.  It was then followed up in a report by Andrew Wagner of OnMilwaukee.com that confirmed the sides had reached an agreement.

Per a team press release, the deal will include Greinke, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash (believed to be $2 million) sent to the Brewers in exchange for shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, pitcher Jake Odorizzi and right-handed pitcher Jeremy Jeffress.

The deal required Greinke to waive his no-trade clause in order for him to be moved to Milwaukee. Heyman adds the Royals were close to a deal with the Washington Nationals, but he told the Royals that he wouldn’t go to Washington. He did approve a deal to the New York Yankees, but family member had reservations. Heyman adds that no deal was close with New York. Greinke has a list of fifteen teams he cannot be move to via a trade.

The $2 million could be used for Betancourt’s buyout for 2012, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel.  He has a $6 million team option, but the Brewers can buy him out for $2 mllion should they choose not to exercise the year.

Greinke has been fed up with the losing ways of the Royals for some time now. He recently switched agents from SFX to Jeff Berry and Casey Close of CAA, as reported by Ed Price of AOL FanHouse last week. Price speculated that the timing of the switch could signal Greinke’s move out of Kansas City.

The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner will make $13.5 million each season for 2011 and 2012.