Milwaukee Brewers anticipated ‘top pitching contract’ for Zack Greinke -MLB News
Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, December 10, finalized the six-year, $147, million deal with the free agent pitcher Zack Greinke. In July this year, the Milwaukee Brewers had traded Greinke to Los Angeles Angels.
The Brewers were reportedly said to have offered him $100 million deal, but the pitcher did not show any enthusiasm. A proven winner, Greinke has shown consistency throughout these years to attract the big teams to lay their hands on him.
Greinke, the 29-year-old starter, had to his credit AL Cy Young Award in 2009. The past season, which was split with Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels, he had 15-5 record, posting 3.48 ERA in a total of 34 starts.
The Brewers deemed it a right move to trade him in July – to get two pitching prospects Johnny Hellweg and Ariel Pena instead of losing him in the free agency.
The move seemed right if one has to look at how things have gone since then. Add to it the fact that the Brewers knew the pitcher would get a bigger offer.
"I figured [Greinke] would get the top pitching contract out there," Melvin said. "There's no reason not to. These things have been going this way for a long while. [Cole] Hamels signed in Philly, Matt Cain signed with the Giants, and it created an opportunity
for Zack to go out there at [29] years of age as the top free agent pitcher on the market."
That proved right. He is now the highest paid right-handed pitcher, earning $24.5 million annually. Previously CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees, getting $24.4 million. With Greinke gone, options for the Brewers are not limited, though.
The Brewers have a few free agent pitchers to consider. One of the big names that have recently emerged is that of Ryan Dempster. The club, however, has a relatively meticulous approach, and has not clearly stated its intentions yet.
The Brewers, nonetheless, are required to improve their pitching since they did struggle this past season in both rotation and bullpen. Be that as it may, for now, the rotation does need an experienced pitcher.
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