The Los Angeles Dodgers missed out on David Price, which means their main focus is now on Zack Greinke, who opted out of his contract with the team to get another long-term deal. However, the Dodgers could be running into some issues in the negotiating process.
Rumors indicate the two sides could be at odds regarding the life of Grienke's next contract.
"Sources say the Dodgers have been reluctant in recent days to guarantee a sixth year in their offer to Zack Greinke," writes ESPN's Buster Olney. "This could be a tipping point in these talks: Which team is willing to guarantee a sixth year for Greinke, the Giants or the Dodgers?"
This doesn't come as much of a surprise because it was previously reported the Dodgers' front office isn't keen on giving five-year contracts to players - especially pitchers - 30 and older, so giving a six-year contract to a 32-year-old could really be a deal breaker for Los Angeles.
However, the Dodgers don't necessarily have to offer that sixth year to coax Greinke into staying. Both ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and Jayson Stark have reported the right-hander wants a higher average annual salary above that of David Price's $31 million, so as long as he gets his wish then a five-year deal may suffice.
Sources say Greinke is looking for a 5 or 6 yr deal. He wants AAV above Price. That means $31.5M or $32M a year.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 1, 2015
Sounds as if the Zack Greinke talks have taken parallel paths. Wants 6 years at an AAV north of Price but was open to 5 at a much higher AAV
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 2, 2015
But then there's the threat of the San Francisco Giants offering Greinke a six-year deal with a higher average annual salary than Price. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported yesterday that Greinke is expected to sign with the Dodgers or Giants and the deal will either be for five years and $160 million or six years and $192 million.
Greinke led the MLB in ERA (1.66) and WHIP (0.84) this past season and finished runner-up to Jake Arrieta in the NL Cy Young voting. In three seasons with the Dodgers he's 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 92 starts.
He's now regarded as the top free agent available after Price signed on Tuesday. Stay tuned for updates as Greinke could sign within the next day or so.
