The Milwaukee Brewers are preparing to trade starting pitcher Zack Greinke if they are unable to sign him to a long-term contract extension before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal notes that the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals expressed strong interested in Greinke when he was shopped by the Kansas City Royals, and adds that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are among the teams in the market for starting pitching.

Earlier this week the Brewers said they had not yet made a decision on whether or not they are going to trade Greinke. However, one executive told Rosenthal that Milwaukee is "definitely expecting to move him unless something changes and they re-sign him."

Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin said that the club is still in the process of making a decision on what they’re doing overall. He noted that Milwaukee is prepared to go either way, buying or selling, depending on how the team plays over the next week or so. Melvin said teams have begun calling him on several players.

After losing their fourth game in a row last night, the Brewers have fallen to an overall record of 33-41, placing them 8 ½ games behind the National League Central-leading Cincinnati Reds.

Greinke would become one of the most coveted players on the market if the Brewers decide to make him available. The 2009 Cy Young Award winner has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 2.81 and 1.177 over his 15 starts with 9.3 SO/9 and 2.0 BB/9.