Zack Greinke ranks third in the MLB with a 1.56 ERA through six starts so far with the Los Angeles Dodgers. There was speculation during the offseason that the right-hander may opt out of his contract after 2015, and now it's looking more like a reality.
Since signing a six-year, $147 million prior to the 2013 season, Greinke is 37-12 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.106 WHIP and 389 strikeouts in 66 starts with the Dodgers and has finished in the top eight of the Cy Young voting in 2013 and 2014. Aside from the right-hander's Cy Young-winning campaign with the Kansas City Royals in 2009, these years with Los Angeles have obviously been his best.
And it's a shame, because the Dodgers granted him an opt-out clause in his contract, which Greinke can exercise after the 2015 season. As the days go by it's becoming more and more clear that the 31-year-old will decide to explore free agency after the season.
"It is expected by rival execs that Zack Greinke, who's won 10 straight decisions, will opt out of a contract that will have $73 million over three years remaining, provided the Dodgers don't extend him. Though with money not seeming to be an issue for L.A., ultimately it's hard to see L.A. letting him leave," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
The Dodgers will more than likely face having to pay the right-hander even more money or watching him sign elsewhere. However, based on the current state of the club's starting rotation, they might be leaning toward giving him the money he wants because beyond Clayton Kershaw there are no guarantees. Brandon McCarthy is out until probably the middle of next year after undergoing Tommy John surgery this year; Hyun-Jin Ryu has yet to pitch this season because of shoulder inflammation and his rehab has slowed recently; and Brett Anderson will be a free agent after the year.
Even Kershaw is still waiting to get in a groove after the first month of the 2015 season. The back-to-back Cy Young winner and 2014 NL MVP is just 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.138 WHIP in six starts this season after logging six straight seasons with an ERA under 2.92.
However, let's not forget there will be a wealth of top starters hitting the free agent market after this season, such as David Price, Jordan Zimmermann, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Doug Fister, Scott Kazmir, Ian Kennedy and others, so Los Angeles will have plenty of options if they feel Greinke isn't worth another lucrative contract entering his age-32 season.
