MLB News: Zack Greinke Signs With Arizona Diamondbacks
In MLB news, Zack Greinke has decided to leave the Los Angeles Dodgers and sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Fox Sports.
Days after David Price decided to sign with the Boston Red Sox, another top level pitcher is now off the free agency market. Reports have surfaced that Zack Greinke has decided that he wants to spend the next six years of his MLB career with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right handed pitcher was a highly sought after free agent because he posted an ERA of 1.66, which is the lowest average in MLB in the past 20 years. Greinke had a 19-3 record while playing at least six innings in all 32 of his starts.
When free agency began, Los Angeles Dodgers fans desperately were hoping that Greinke would stay with the team. His presence was needed if the team wanted to make the playoffs. Dodgers fans had grown accustomed to the team doing well. Los Angeles has won the NL West division for the past three seasons. They also won at least 92 games during that stretch. Without Greinke, the pitching rotation becomes more of a question mark since Clayton Kershaw is the only sure thing they have.
Zack Greinke left behind a good amount of money when he decided to opt out of his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. There was $71 million left on the six year, $147 million contract. Of course, there was no surprise when Zack opted out. He and his agent knew that there would be quite a demand for his services, especially after the tremendous season that he had for Los Angeles. The 32-year-old went 23-9 in games that he started. The Dodgers were 69-61 in the other games played.
When looking at all of the recent contracts signed, it is a very good time to be a pitcher in MLB. The Washington Nationals signed Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $210 million, while the Chicago Cubs gave Jon Lester a six-year, $155 million deal. David Price received $215 million for seven years from the Boston Red Sox, which eclipsed the seven-year, $215 million that the Dodgers gave to Clayton Kershaw. Greinke is expected to get less than seven years from the Arizona Diamondbacks, but a higher salary average per season than Price.
Now that Zack Greinke has taken his act to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers have some questions about their pitching rotation. Clayton Kershaw is the only one they need not worry about, as he is the consensus best pitcher in MLB. They already know what they’re going to get from him. The seven-year veteran won 17 games last year and had an ERA of 2.13. Dodgers should get similar production from the 27-year-old.
Los Angeles no longer has the best pitching tandem in MLB to lean on. There’s question marks throughout the rotation. The Dodgers have already conceded that they do not know what they’re going to get from South Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. Brett Anderson is injury prone and that concerns management. Los Angeles acquired Alex Wood from the Atlanta Braves, but they are not entirely sold on him yet. Brandon McCarthy is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, so the Dodgers really don’t know what they will get out of him when he returns during the middle of next season.
Can the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their MLB playoffs streak now that Zack Greinke has left for the Arizona Diamondbacks?
[Featured Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images]
