Dodgers: Zack Greinke Opts Out

This is more or less of a formality since we all knew it was going to happen, but today was the deadline for Zack Greinke to opt out of the remaining three years of his contract and he did so this morning, according to the LA Times’ Bill Shaikin.

This absolutely does not guarantee an end to Greinke’s Dodger career, as the Dodgers seem like a logical fit to retain him. He was set to make $77 million (per BBREF) over the next three years, but he could definitely command more on the open market. At the very least, he may receive a similar amount of money but add years onto his contract for some stability.

The Dodgers are a good fit for Greinke for a few reasons. There’s obviously familiarity, as he’s been with the Dodgers for three years. He’s a great hitter and seems to like hitting, probably eliminating any AL team. The Dodgers will be a contender for the next five years unless something goes horribly wrong. Greinke is a huge fan of advanced stats and sabermetrics and has raved about Corey Seager for years. I would expect Greinke to go to an NL contender, so in my speculative mind I feel like the Dodgers will have to beat out the Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, Giants and maybe Mets (pitching is the last thing they need). The Cardinals, Pirates and Giants also aren’t exactly known for doling out big money for one player, so it might come down to Dodgers and Cubs. I’m not sure what the city of Chicago is doing for Greinke, but.

Obviously, the hope is for Greinke to re-up. It’s risky to sign a 32-year-old a lot of years of big money, but Greinke is an incredibly smart pitcher that relies on his brain more than his arm and there’s no reason to think we won’t still be a top starter for four or five years.

Worst case scenario, the Dodgers lose him and get a comp pick. Greinke will likely get a qualifying offer along with a long-term offer, and if he decides to leave the Dodgers will be given a pick (and probably just go out and sign David Price)

Regarding other news around Dodgerland, utility man Enrique Hernandez will have minor shoulder surgery today. It seems to be nothing too concerning and it would be shocking if he wasn’t ready for spring training.

Nightengale has a reputation for being completely wrong about most tweets, but if this is true, Roberts as at least a bench coach could be huge, especially if Tim Wallach joins Don Mattingly in Miami. Last year, whether it was causation or correlation, the Dodgers running game improved tremendously when Ron Roenicke became the third base coach. Dave Roberts could have a similar impact.

October 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Enrique Hernandez (14) before playing against the New York Mets in game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN’s Jim Bowden, the Dodgers will interview Kirk Gibson for their managerial opening. See people. When you ask for managers with experience, this is what you get. I honestly think I have a better shot of becoming the next manager than Gibson, but I’m still waiting on my phone call.

Mets bench coach Bob Geren will also interview for the Dodger job. He managed the A’s for five years, where he worked with Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi. The A’s only finished .500 once in his four and a half years before being fired. He’s also a longshot to become manager, but the Dodgers are doing their due diligence and not leaving any stone unturned.

Next: Dodgers Manager Candidates: Dave Roberts