Back Off Texas! The Bidding War For Birdman Zack Greinke Heats Up

It’s day three of the winter meetings, and so far not much has gone on. The Dodgers have been linked to a lot of players, and have been shopping Dee Gordon around, but that’s about it. The Dodgers have yet to sign anyone, and nothing concrete has developed in trade talks. There’s been mostly posturing form the Dodgers. This is what the winter meetings are all about, a lot of rumors, talk and trade posturing. What also develops during these meetings are bidding wars over potential free agents. We’ve got one going on now between the Dodgers and Rangers over the services of angry birdman Zack Greinke.

When will the Dodgers sign Birdman?-Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Of course we all know that Birdman Greinke has been the Dodgers primary free agent target since the off-season began. The Dodgers are looking to upgrade their starting rotation, and nobody would do that as well as birdman Greinke. The former Cy Young award winner is the crown jewel of the free agent pool for starting pitchers. There are three teams involved so far in the birdman bidding war, the Dodgers, Rangers, and Angels.

Someone had told Danny Knobler of CBS sports….

That if Greinke is offered 160 million dollars or more, that it would blow the Angels out of the water. So it appears to be down to just the Dodgers and Rangers now. Although the Angels remain in contact with Birdman’s agent.

Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times

has said that it’s highly unlikely that the Angels go over 20 million dollars for a pitcher. It’s expected for Greinke to be offered at least 150 million dollars or more over at least five or six years. Are the Angels really out of the running for Birdman?

While the Angels might be out of it, the Rangers are still trying very hard to ink Birdman. However the Rangers are also still trying to retain their superstar Josh Hamilton. It seems doubtful that they would be able to sign both Hamilton and Birdman.

Ken Rosenthal reported that the Dodgers and manager Don Mattingly met with Greinke earlier this week, and his agent, and have spoken with the Dodgers as recently as today, but it is unknown where the talks stand at this point. According to sources it’s unlikely that Greinke will make a decision during the winter meetings. Apparently Greinke is taking his time, but until he signs the rest of the starting pitcher free agent pool is in a frozen state. Everyone is waiting to see where Greinke signs.

Zack Greinke-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers still appear to be the favorite to sign Birdman, but the Rangers want him badly. If the Dodgers don’t sign Birdman, they could be in on other top free agent starting pitchers, like Anibal Sanchez,  Kyle Lohse, and Ryan Dempster.

The birdman bidding war is starting to heat up as the winter meetings wind down. Can the Dodgers outbid the Rangers? We’ll keep you posted on all of the latest updates on the Zack Greinke sweepstakes. I just want to reiterate that the birdman is ours, so back off Texas! Hands off our Birdman!