The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Zack Greinke to a 6 year, $147 million deal. The contract will pay Greinke more than the $144 million extension Cole Hamels signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in July, and is the largest ever for a right handed pitcher. In total dollars, Greinke’s new deal is the 2nd most lucrative in history for a pitcher, trailing only the original $161 million deal signed by CC Sabathia in 2009. Greinke is 29 years old and also will have a full opt-out clause in his new deal. He will not have a no trade clause, but the right hander can opt out after the 1st year if he is traded. The 1 time Cy Young Award winner compiled a 15-5 record with a 3.48 ERA and 200 strikeouts in a 2012 season he split with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers prioritized starting pitching shortly after the season ended, with the intention of finding a No. 2 and maybe a No. 3 starting pitcher to slot behind ace Clayton Kershaw. The team viewed Greinke as clearly the best pitcher on the market, with Anibal Sanchez a distant 2nd.
This is a great signing by both Zack Greinke and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Greinke is one of the best pitchers in the MLB and was the best pitcher on the free agent market. The Dodgers are spending a lot of money and making a lot of moves and getting Greinke to team up with Clayton Kershaw to compete with the San Francisco Giants pitchers is a must move for them. I know Dodger fans are loving that they are spending a lot of money on big name players and hope this can results to wins and championships.