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When Zack Greinke opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2015 MLB Season, his goal was to become the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball. Not only has he accomplished that feat, but Greinke will receive the biggest contract on a per-year basis in MLB history after signing a six-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth a reported $206 million. That comes out to $34.3 million per season, or essentially $1 million per start.
Again: Greinke deal is six years, $206M with deferrals, per sources. Deferrals will lower present-day value of contract.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2015
While the Diamondbacks get the ace that they were desperately seeking, I believe the contract will become a problem sooner, rather than later. At 32 years old, it will be hard for Greinke to replicate the success that he had in 2015 when he posted a 19-3 record with a 1.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 32 starts. His 9.3 WAR was the second-highest of his career, but his third-highest is only 5.0. That’s a lot of cash for a guy who has only had two historical seasons throughout his 12-year career.
The other issue with this deal is that the Diamondbacks won’t be ready to compete for a World Series title in the next two or three years, while Greinke is still in his “prime.” Unless General Manager Dave Stewart and Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa are signaling their intention to go on an offseason spending spree this offseason, this deal makes no sense.
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
