Here’s a quick roundup of links on the Diamondbacks’ very surprising, and extremely expensive, $206.5MM pact with Zack Greinke.
- Diamondbacks executives Tony La Russa and Dave Stewart met with free agent starting pitcher Mike Leake on Thursday, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweets. The Snakes remain interested in signing Leake even after agreeing to terms with Greinke, suggesting that they’ll continue to be active on the market for starting pitching despite the huge splash they’ve already made.
- Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija stand to benefit from Greinke’s signing with Arizona, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweets. The signing leaves the market thinner, and the Dodgers, Giants and Cardinals are all still looking for starting pitching.
- Greinke’s hefty deal was an appropriate one for a player who ESPN’s Keith Law (Insider-only) sees as the best free agent starter available this offseason. Greinke’s offspeed stuff, brilliant command and feel for pitch sequencing make him a solid bet to continue to be successful even if his velocity declines, making him as close to Greg Maddux as there exists in today’s game. Law does agree with the Diamondbacks’ apparent self-assessment that they still need another starter, however, and argues that they’re still a few pieces short of being real contenders.
- Greinke’s huge new contract is a risky but bold move for the Diamondbacks, who have suddenly made themselves relevant in the NL West, Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown writes. The deal gives the Diamondbacks a bona fide ace to add to their collection of younger talent. It does, however, make their success in the future fairly heavily dependent upon the success of the contract, given that Greinke’s astronomical annual salaries will take up what will likely be huge chunks of the Diamondbacks’ relatively modest payrolls.
Remember when Zack Greinke was that nervous lanky kansas city royals prospect with an electric arm?! That sure seems like a very long time ago! Good for him.
How long until we see baseballs first forty-million a year guy? First half a billion dollar player?
The answer to both your questions, Harper hits the market in what 2018?
Clayton Kershaw has an opt out clause from his #35 million a year contract about then and he may beat Harper to 40 million, but Harper will own the keys to the vault with his overall contract while the Angels are smiling that they got Tout to an under value contract
That trout extension seems like the steal of the century right now
2019. A lot can happen to a player in 3 years. He’s a future Yankee anyways.
Trout will not be a yankee, by the time he’s a free agent again , the angels can give him another contract. I just wonder what the dodgers will do next, do they over pay for cueto or the shark. Or do they go the trade route by trying to get an ace like sonny gray.
He’s not talking about Trout.
Harper is overrated.
you’re mad if you think this is a true statement
I did not see this coming at all, I had greinke leaving the dodgers but to the giants. The diamondbacks will be a dark horse team in 2016.
More than a dark horse. This team was the 2nd highest scoring team in the NL and they were the best defensive team in all of baseball. Solid bullpen, plenty of depth. All that the Dbacks were missing was a couple of starters, one of them being an ace. Now they have their ace, a solid #2 in Corbin and looks like they still want to sign another pitcher like Mike Leake or Kenta Meaeda
Well played by Grienke’s agent! He used the Dodgers and Giants very well to his client’s advantage!
D’Backs season ticket holder very happy! Sir SK
Noone in the media was even saying there was a chance of this before today. Woah.
D’Backs season ticket holder very happy Sir SK
they may as well go sign a couple more guys now- already gave up your first round pick and may as well try to win in the next couple years before Grienke starts to fade. the numbers are crazy, but if they have the money and want to try to win, why sit on it?
Maybe they mess with the Giants and Dodgers even more and pick up cueto.
They do that and they are going to the playoffs no problem.
Zach Grienke is the same age as Justin Verlander.
Who will have a better “next 5 years”?
Remember that Verlander has been injured for almost 2 full years before recovering fully in the 2nd half of 2015. Crazy to think that Grienke or Price or Scherzer will not have any injuries during their mega contracts, just because they have been healthy so far. You have to factor that possibility in.
I think greinke will, he does not use velocity , it’s more like deception and location, and he has very good mechanics. I am still in shock that the diamondbacks snagged greinke away from both the dodgers and giants.
I think that people forget that Verlander had FOUR plus pitches (now maybe that is down to 3) and has near perfect mechanics as well (no inverted Ws or weird high risk torque).
There is no reason he cannot develop into the same type of pitcher that Greinke will become.
Not sure anyone saw that coming except Dave Stewart… Heard him on Stewpod this week saying that contracts like the one Dave Price got were far to rich for his club.
Really wish the Jays would throw around some money at Pitching.
I see the Dodgers making a play a Heyward and Trading Joc for some pitching