So much for the notion that the bidding for Zack Greinke was down to the rival Dodgers and Giants.
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L.A. offered the 32-year-old Greinke a five-year deal worth $155 million, according to ESPN, based on reports. The Dodgers can’t be certain Kershaw will remain healthy, which is why losing Greinke is as much about Kershaw as it is about Greinke.
Greinke had a 1.66 ERA last season that was the lowest in the majors since Greg Maddux had a 1.63 ERA in 1995. Greinke had a scoreless streak of 45 2-3 innings this summer. They finished 79-83 last season, 13 games behind the West champion Dodgers and trailing the Giants, who have won three of the past six World Series.
The Diamondbacks swooped in and offered a sixth year because they needed a number one starter.
Price gets $30 million in each of the next three seasons, $31 million in 2019 and $32 million in each of the final three years.
And with that, Zack Greinke and his 19 wins walk right out the door. The Nationals assumed the same last season when they signed Max Scherzer and the Red Sox certainly hope that David Price will vault them into contention as well. Jon Lester inked a six-year, US$155 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. He’s the ace Arizona hasn’t had, one who wore down D-Backs hitters to the tune of a 0.65 ERA across six starts since 2011. The deal includes $60 million in deferred money that will be paid out in the five years following the contract.
What I don’t like about Greinke’s contract is the price and his age.
San Francisco, another team used to Greinke’s stinginess, will likewise cope with the right-hander in divisional play again in 2016. That being said, the defensive efficiency numbers would probably surprise you. Greinke and Clayton Kershaw combined for a 1.90 ERA.
Among the young pitchers, Julio Urias, Jose DeLeon and Jharel Cotton all could arrive sometime next season.
Kershaw could be burdened more than ever, as there are several uncertainties behind him. Anderson was 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA, but his innings more than quadrupled from the previous year, which raises questions about his durability for the upcoming season. The free-spending Dodgers have already reportedly turned their sights to Cueto and the Giants still have room to pursue another starting pitcher.
By all accounts, Greinke and his family liked Los Angeles. He didn’t start a game in the National League division series against the New York Mets.
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy isn’t expected to return from a major elbow operation until the middle of the season. “I’m a Hall of Fame baseball player with no doubt in my mind, no doubt in my heart”, said Bonds, 51. “Two will depend on a lot of factors that are not determined at this point”.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have landed one of the most coveted free agents on the market by agreeing to a contract with star pitcher Zack Greinke, US media reported Friday.
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Pitchers like Leake and Johnny Cueto have never looked so good.
