Few pitchers on this year’s free-agent market are more prized than Zack Greinke. After having his best season since winning the Cy Young Award in 2009, the veteran right-hander is about to cash in no matter where he eventually lands.
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Greinke Setting Price at $30 Million Annually
Monday, Nov. 30
According to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are among the teams showing serious interest in signing Greinke this offseason.
While $30 million isn’t an unreasonable salary for an ace in today’s game, Crasnick wondered how much Greinke’s age, 32, might impact any negotiations.
Greinke finished 2015 with a record of 19-3 and a 1.66 earned run average. According to FanGraphs, his FIP was a full run higher (2.76), but he still finished with the seventh-highest WAR (5.9) among all pitchers.
Even with his impressive record, you can understand why teams might balk at the idea of signing him to a five- or six-year deal, similar to Justin Verlander’s extension. The New York Yankees haven’t gotten a great return on CC Sabathia’s eight-year, $186 million extension, either.
Greinke might well receive something approaching the annual salary he’s initially asking, but he may have to compromise on the length of the contract.
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