As the waiver trade deadline approached earlier this week, surprising reports came out of the desert. Those reports indicated that the Arizona Diamondbacks had been contacted by the Los Angeles Dodgers about high-priced starter Zack Greinke.
Ultimately, the D’backs turned down any overtures from their division rivals to send the veteran packing.
It’s now being reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that Arizona will hang on to the starter at least until following the 2017 season.
The earliest #Dbacks say they would even consider trading Zack Greinke is at July, 2017 trade deadline, believing they can contend next year
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 1, 2016
There’s a couple interesting tidbits to focus on here.
First off, that anyone would call Arizona up regarding Greinke makes little sense. The 32-year-old starter has $172-plus million left on his deal after this season. It’s also a deal that’s not set to expire until he’s 37 years old.
In addition to that, Greinke has not exactly been the ace Arizona was hoping he’d be when it signed him to the massive deal last winter. He’s posted a solid 12-4 record, but is also pitching to a 4.17 ERA and 1.24 WHIP on the season.
Both of those latter categories would represent his worst statistical output since he was a member of the Kansas City Royals back in 2010.
It’s also important that Arizona’s primary motivation for not wanting to deal the starter is the organization’s belief that it can contend in 2017.
It’s currently 21 games under .500 and exists in a division with two of the best teams in the Senior Circuit.