Some of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ free agency matters were put on pause with the club and Don Mattingly mutually agreeing to part ways on Oct. 22.
Their managerial search came to an end four weeks later with the hiring of former San Diego Padres bench coach Dave Roberts.
As the Dodgers worked to fill their managerial vacancy, they were aided in part by the market of free-agent starting pitchers progressing slowly.
Only recently did Jordan Zimmermann agree to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Meanwhile, recent indications are the Dodgers continue to have Zack Greinke as their top priority. According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the market for Greinke is quickly taking shape:
Zack Greinke's market is quietly heating up, says a source. #Dodgers, #SFGiants both looking for some clarity.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 30, 2015
It was previously reported Greinke, 32, is seeking a contract in which he’ll earn $30 million annually. The Dodgers were said to have discussed signing Greinke and David Price, though it appears unlikely.
The Giants, one of several teams looking to bolster their starting rotation, were reported as the Dodgers’ biggest threat to sign Greinke.
Greinke went 19-3 with MLB-bests 1.66 ERA, 225 ERA+ and 0.84 WHIP last season. He won a second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and was named the National League Most Outstanding Pitcher by his peers.
Should the Dodgers fail to re-sign Greinke, other options still available include Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir and Price, among others. Moreover, the Dodgers would receive a compensatory pick for the 2016 Draft from the team that signs Greinke.
