As the Los Angeles Dodgers inch closer and closer to a third consecutive NL West title, the rumors surrounding starting pitcher Zack Greinke continue to lurk in the shadows. Will the right-hander remain with the team after 2015?
Previous rumors indicated it was already a foregone conclusion that Greinke would opt out of his deal with the Dodgers and forgo the remaining $70-plus million he's owed through 2018. That rumor was again confirmed late last week
"Zack Greinke's call to opt out of the $71 million remaining on his deal over three years is a fait accompli, people close to the team concede," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes. "Why have an opt out if a Cy Young type season isn't cause to use it? (for the record, agent Casey Close declined comment.)"
But will the Dodgers re-sign him due to the various questions surrounding their starting rotation? Clayton Kershaw has been lights-out since the All-Star break, but the only other current starter in the rotation that will be with the team after 2015 is Alex Wood. Both Brett Anderson and Mat Latos will hit free agency and the Dodgers are unlikely to re-sign them because the pitching market will be robust once the offseason hits.
"Will [Greinke] escape at season's end? The Dodgers have been willing to play it out, knowing they have the resources to get a deal done," Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes. "Greinke feels comfortable in LA, but it's his right to test the waters. Greinke will be 32 when he becomes a free agent and even with a great season it doesn't appear he will get any more than five years, according to a major league source. Five years, $150 million? 'That seems to be a good starting point,' said one NL GM who predicts it could even higher. 'If I were a betting man, I'd say he stays with LA. They've got the dough.'"
David Price will be a free agent and rumors suggest that will be the Dodgers' top target. However, Greinke is likely still a priority of theirs, considering he's the leading NL Cy Young candidate thanks to a 15-3 record with a 1.59 ERA (leads MLB), 0.85 WHIP (leads MLB) and 169 strikeouts in 27 starts (186 2/3 innings).
Signing a 32-year-old pitcher to a long-term contract is a risky move, and although the Dodgers have the money, it wouldn't be surprising if president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has different feelings about keeping Greinke. If the team re-signs Greinke and also adds Price, that will give them two pitchers atop their rotation who are under long-term deals and at least 30 years old.
Then again, money doesn't mean much to the Dodgers' ownership and the goal is to win a World Series. If they don't do that this year, then it wouldn't be surprising if they go all-in for 2016.
