Diamondbacks to sign Zack Greinke to 6-year deal

In perhaps one of the most shocking free agent signings in recent memory, Zack Greinke is reportedly in agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a deal, pending a physical.

Greinke’s decision was expected by the end of the week, but every indication was he’d choose between the Dodgers and Giants. The Diamondbacks swooped in at the last minute and are about to land the cerebral right-hander.

There had been rumblings that the Arizona might be in on Greinke, and those were confirmed by Ken Rosenthal earlier on Friday. He also broke the news of the agreement, while Jon Heyman confirmed the deal is for six years.

It might look like an odd play on the surface for the Diamondbacks, but they did just offer Johnny Cueto a big-money deal (and were turned down), but I don’t think many thought they’d go after — and land — Greinke. They have a solid young nucleus with the best hitter in the National League over the last three years in Paul Goldschmidt and a budding superstar in A.J. Pollock, and you know Greinke didn’t just make this decision without considering all possible angles.

While the monetary terms of the deal are unknown, you know Arizona would have needed to pay an ungodly amount of money to convince Greinke to sign with them. I’m guessing his AAV will be the highest ever for a MLB player to date.

And the front office definitely tried to keep him.

dodgers offered greinke five years for about $31M

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2015

It’s hard to blame the front office for not wanting to give a 32-year-old pitcher who has at least a little doubt about his pitching elbow (I think it’s overblown) a 6-year deal at $30-plus million a season. But you know that has already begun among the fanbase. Dodger Talk episodes just got a whole lot more “interesting.”

Update, if he can be believed.

Zack Greinke receives about $195 million on six year deal from #Dbacks

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 5, 2015

The Dodgers get a supplemental first-round selection, while the D’Backs lose their first-rounder. It’s a small consolation prize and while I’m happy about the pick, I’m more disappointed about Greinke leaving the Dodgers.

This stings, but it isn’t the end of the world. There are a lot of pitchers available on the market — both free agent and trade. The Winter Meetings start on Monday, and you can rest assured the front office will nab at least one bonafide starter while in Nashville. I’m sure we’ll examine some options over the weekend. Here’s my preference.

Bring me Jose Fernandez

— Dustin Nosler (@DustinNosler) December 5, 2015

And if losing Greinke somehow means the Dodgers end up with Jose Fernandez (or a young, stud pitcher similar to him) and Jason Heyward, I’d consider that a net gain for the club. We’ll see what happens the rest of the offseason.

Thanks for a great three years, Zack. Just don’t have any success against the Dodgers for the next six years, k?