Royals' run spurred by additions who came from Brewers

The Zack Greinke trade after the 2010 season was part of the foundation of the 2014 Royals' success. Make that a major part.

The Royals had a top-shelf haul in this deal. Credit general manager Dayton Moore with seeing the possibilities and seizing the moment.

Kansas City came up with an elite defensive shortstop, Alcides Escobar, who, in a more just world, would have already won an American League Gold Glove Award or two. Escobar's offensive game has developed to the point that he moved into the leadoff spot in the Royals' lineup and was good enough to make a real difference.

Center fielder Lorenzo Cain, a multifaceted talent, arrived from the Brewers in the same deal. He emerged in this postseason as a legitimate star. He hit .333 with a .388 on-base percentage in the 2014 postseason, scoring 13 runs in 15 games, and shining in the outfield.

The Royals also picked up Jake Odorizzi, at the time regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in the Brewers' Minor League system. Moore eventually packaged Odorizzi in the deal that brought starter James Shields and reliever Wade Davis from Tampa Bay. We all know how that worked. Shields became the leader of the rotation and Davis evolved into one of the best eighth-inning setup men in the game.

Another Brewers prospect in the trade, flamethrowing Jeremy Jeffress, did not pan out for Kansas City. He was, ironically or not, back on Milwaukee's roster and pitching well in relief during the second half of the 2014 season.

The Brewers were not shut out in this deal. They got the immediate payoff they wanted in 2011, winning a division title, setting a franchise record with 96 regular-season victories and advancing to the National League Championship Series.

The following season, they traded Greinke to the Angels. One of the players they received in return, shortstop Jean Segura, could be a long-term answer, even though he is not a defensive player of Escobar's stature.

When you look at the overall effects of this trade, the Royals could be benefiting from it for a long time. The importance of this deal for Kansas City cannot be overstated.

Further assistance came from Milwaukee prior to the 2014 season. The Royals needed a top-of-the-order hitter and stable right fielder. They got that player from the Brewers in Nori Aoki. Aoki's second-half resurgence was a huge plus in the Royals' push for the postseason.

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Royals' run spurred by additions who came from Brewers