As rumors cut it, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels might soon drop talks with the priciest ace this offseason, Zack Greinke, as both teams say they would like to focus on other deals and moves.
Let's begin with Greinke's quirky personality. Not many may know this, but he's one of the most eccentric figures in baseball. For a good portion of his nine-year career, the right hander presented himself as his own agent. I guess that's a great way of cutting out the middleman.
I remember asking one of my close friends whose a Mets fan if he would like to trade for Greinke back when he was a Royal and he said, "Absolutely not! That guy is a nut."
Nut or not, Greinke is currently one of the important free agent signings and it doesn't solely concern his superstar status, but because, for the most part, other teams are awaiting for these big free agents to sign before they can make a move.
Greinke probably doesn't mind holding up the entire league as they await his decision, but two of the teams seeking his talents are bout to leave the deal on the table as they have other concerns and areas to fix.
The Dodgers were considered the lead runners in the Greinke sweepstakes because they have deep pockets. However,thoughts are that Greinke wants to play elsewhere (Texas Rangers). Therefore, if Greinke persists on holding up the process, then the Dodgers will bail out and focus on getting starting pitching from where available.
Names like James Shield, Anibal Sanchez and Kyle Lohse come to mind. According to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, the Dodgers are looking for a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. These are spots these guys can fill in.
Sanchez and Lohse are free agents, so money is not an issue. If they want Shields, they will have to offer a trade. I see the Dodgers as buyers, not traders this season.
As for the Angels, they acquired Joe Blanton and though he is no Greinke, he fills a need for the Angels and they might have possibly completely given up on Zack Greinke.
Greinke is the 2009 Cy Young Award winner and is 31-11 in the last two seasons. The Dodgers offer was somewhere around six years for $150
