The market for Zack Greinke quickly heated up once David Price agreed to a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.
Price’s deal was officially announced Friday, making him the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball History.
The domino effect it had for Greinke is the 32 year old is said to seek a contract that will surpass Price’s $31 million annual average salary.
In recent days his list of suitors dwindled down a bidding war between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers reportedly were more likely to include a sixth year on Greinke’s contract, while the Giants are perceived as being willing to meet his annual average wish.
However, the two National League West rivals now appear to be joined by the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Sources: #DBacks pursuing Greinke.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2015
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News, an agent believes the Diamondbacks have the financial power to sign Greinke:
One agent (not Greinke's) told me earlier today that the Dbacks have the money to pull it off. https://t.co/Vl2aTXPYfQ
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 4, 2015
Some of the Diamondbacks’ financial backing may be supported by an estimated 20-year, $1.5 billion television contract that goes into effect for the 2016 season.
Arizona was previously in pursuit of Johnny Cueto, who reportedly declined a six-year, $120 million contract offer from the Diamondbacks.
Speaking after Dave Roberts’ introductory press conference on Tuesday, Dodgers part owner Magic Johnson called re-signing Greinke the club’s “No. 1 priority” this offseason.
Greinke in three seasons with the Dodgers is 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA. He’s a lifetime 6-2 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 10 starts at Chase Field.
