Royals expected to bring Greinke back

ZACK Greinke, who already has a pretty strong Hall of Fame résumé, is expected to return to pitch another season. His career WAR of 76.4 fits right between Justin Verlander (77.7) and Clayton Kershaw (75.9). Greinke, 39, had a 3.68 ERA in 137 innings back in Kansas City, and the Royals are interested in a return. ➤ The Braves made an opening offer in-season to star shortstop Dansby Swanson, and sources suggested it was in the $100 million ballpark. The friend thought Swanson, a Georgia product, preferred to stay in Atlanta. That’s probably just a start, but it sounded like there’s work to do. (Our expert’s pick was 75 percent higher). ➤ No word yet on a new contract, but one source said it’s “100 percent” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will be back. Cashman’s deal expires Dec. 31. ➤ The Angels’ sale is serious and will happen. Word is, Arte Moreno

should receive a record price, above Steve Cohen’s $2.4 billion Mets purchase. ➤ The White Sox’s gamble on new manager Pedro Grifol is a good one. Extra credit here: White Sox take diversity seriously. Previous managers include Miguel Cairo, Rick Renteria and Ozzie Guillen. ➤ All signs point to former Milwaukee president of baseball operations David Stearns not receiving permission to interview elsewhere as he’s under contract through 2023, which is the prerogative of Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who tried locking up Stearns. The New York native will be somewhere else long term. Whether that’s the Mets, which have twice pursued Stearns, or his former Astros, or someone else, is unknown. ➤ Win or lose, Dusty Baker should be in Cooperstown.