Zack Greinke opts out of contract with Dodgers
Zack Greinke officially enters the free agent market by opting out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Given the ability to void his current deal and look for one last pay day, Zack Greinke made the only logical choice. The right-hander is using the opt-out clause in his contract to enter the free agent market and cash in on his big year.
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Greinke is voiding the final three-years and $77 million on his current deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Zack Greinke has officially opted out. He is a free agent. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 4, 2015
Greinke hits the market at the perfect time, having just completed a Cy Young caliber season by going 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA, a 2.76 FIP, and a 5.00 K/BB ratio. Greinke’s 1.66 ERA is the lowest by a starting pitcher since Greg Maddux posted a 1.63 mark in 1995. Additionally, Greinke’s WHIP of 0.844 is the 15th lowest of all-time, and the lowest since Pedro Martinez posted the all-time record of 0.737 in 2000.
At 32-years-old, the opt-out for Greinke is likely less about money than it is about guaranteed years. He’ll have a hard time topping the $25+ million per season he was due to earn over the final three years of his current deal. However, he could likely tack two or three more seasons on to the contract and carry himself through to retirement.
While Greinke does walk away from his deal with the Dodgers, the move doesn’t necessarily preclude him from returning to Los Angeles. The new ownership group will not want to break up the top one-two punch in baseball and will have the resources to not only make sure Greinke stays in a Dodgers’ uniform, but also take the risk with extended years should he falter as he ages.