As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke has officially opted out of his contract with the team, according to the latest rumors. He'll become a free agent and likely command another long-term deal.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times was the first to report the news. Shaikin also noted that Greinke was included on the MLB Players Association's list of 12 players who became free agents on Wednesday.
Zack Greinke has officially opted out. He is a free agent. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 4, 2015
The Dodgers or Greinke have yet to confirm, but this was a long time coming. Greinke, 32, endured the best season of his MLB career and is the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award. He went 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 32 starts (222 2/3 innings) in 2015, leading the MLB in numerous pitching categories including ERA and WHIP.
Greinke signed a six-year, $147 million deal with the Dodgers prior to the 2013 season. He is 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 555 strikeouts in 92 starts (602 2/3 innings) in three seasons with Los Angeles.
The right-hander left over $70 million on the table with the Dodgers because he's expected to net a five-year deal for over $100 million thanks to how teams have paid pitchers over the past couple of offseasons. It seems as if Los Angeles would be willing to pay big money to retain him, but the life of the contract is what remains and obstacle for the organization.
"The Dodgers could re-sign him but are not expected to be interested in a contract that would extend into his late 30s," Shaikin added. "After the Dodgers were eliminated in the playoffs, controlling owner Mark Walter said President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and General Manager Farhan Zaidi were well aware of what the team's financial parameters would be in any Greinke deal."
The San Francisco Giants are said to be one of the teams poised to make a run at Greinke, but the market for the right-hander is unclear at this point because of his age and the money he's expected to command.
