Last week rumors surfaced that suggested Zack Greinke is expected to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after this season so he can seek a new lucrative deal before his age hinders him from doing so. If this happens to be the case, will the Dodgers look to re-sign him?
While some have said it's hard to believe Los Angeles would let the right-hander walk, the club's ownership philosophy may suggest otherwise. While the Dodgers shifted around their front office and brought in Andrew Friedman from the Tampa Bay Rays and Farhan Zaidi from the Oakland Athletics, the team's ownership and top-end leadership are still intact.
President Stan Kasten said back in 2013 that the club "feels comfortable" signing players up until their age 36 season, via Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. And considering the team brought in Friedman and Zaidi to make more cost-effective decisions and parted ways with the, at times, spendthrift GM Ned Colletti, signing Greinke to a costly long-term contract may not be in the cards if he decides to opt out.
"Kasten noted that the Dodgers had not acquired or signed players with long-term contracts that extend beyond age 36," Shaikin wrote back in 2013.
Greinke turns 32 in October and it's likely he's seeking a deal that will take him beyond 36 years of age, especially since Jon Lester (31) signed a six-year, $155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs and Max Scherzer (30) signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals this past offseason.
However, the Dodgers may re-evaluate their philosophy. The starting rotation is currently in shambles beyond Greinke and Kershaw. Additionally, Greinke leads the National League with a 1.56 ERA through his first six starts (5-0 with a 0.843 WHIP and 34 strikeouts), which leaves the Dodgers in a tough spot because they can't afford to lose an elite starter.
But the season is still young.
If Greinke hits a rough patch or gets injured he may consider staying with the team for the remaining three years and $71 million. He also may not want to hit the free agent market and compete with younger elite starters such as David Price, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann, Jeff Samardzija and Doug Fister, as well as other cheaper options (Ian Kennedy, Alfredo Simon, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and others).
The former AL Cy Young winner has had mild elbow concerns in each of the past two seasons (he received a lubricating injection in his throwing elbow during spring training) and that may cause other executives, as well as the Dodgers, to become hesitant in giving him a new lucrative deal.
As of right now, though, he's in a great position to earn more money.
"The season has five months to play out. The Dodgers might yet discover a reliable starting pitcher within their organization," Shaikin wrote last week. "They might trade for a Cole Hamels, or a Johnny Cueto, or a Kyle Lohse. They might even get Ryu back this season.
"For now, though, Greinke and his agent, Casey Close, are sitting prettier than either might have imagined one month ago. If you become more of a necessity and less of a luxury to the team with the highest payroll in sports history, you are in a mighty fine spot indeed."
