Report: Arizona Diamondbacks will sign Zack Greinke to 6-year deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks have landed an ace to lead their pitching staff. According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Arizona has an agreement in place with free agent Zack Greinke, who last year led MLB in ERA and opponent OPS while putting together a 19-3 record with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman was first to report the deal is for six years, while USA Today’s Bob Nightengale added that the figure is an astounding $195 million over that span.

Rosenthal reports the contract is actually north of $200 million and includes deferrals. The annual average value of $34.3 million is the highest ever.

Sources: Greinke in agreement with #DBacks, pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2015

Again: Greinke deal is six years, $206M with deferrals, per sources. Deferrals will lower present-day value of contract. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2015

The Dodgers offered Greinke a five-year contract that paid $31 per year, according to Heyman, a year short and more than $50 million less than the Diamondbacks’ apparent agreement.

Los Angeles president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman released a statement Friday to wish Greinke’s family the best.

“We made a very strong offer to retain Zack Greinke but clearly he found a deal that fit better for him and his family,” Friedman’s statement read.

Greinke, who does not have an opt-out clause, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, reportedly had been leaning toward remaining in the NL West, but it was the Dodgers and Giants rumored to be in the running for his services.

With the D-backs front office of general manager Dave Stewart and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa entering their second season with manager Chip Hale, it became apparent Arizona wanted an ace pitcher to go along with a rebranding effort that included the release of their new uniforms on Thursday.

According to Rosenthal, Greinke liked the young talent in Arizona that includes All-Stars Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock.

Greinke, one of the game’s most astute players, liked the #DBacks’ young talent. And obviously, he got monster dollars as well.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2015

The Diamondbacks’ aggressiveness isn’t surprising after they reportedly offered free agent Johnny Cueto a six-year, $120 million contract earlier in the week. With the Dodgers last season, Greinke closed with a 1.66 ERA and went 19-6. The 32-year-old right-hander is a three-time All-Star and has spent time with the Royals, Brewers, Angels and Dodgers. Greinke has a 142-93 record and 3.35 ERA for his career.

Diamondbacks reportedly agree to deal with Zack Greinke. Greinke led MLB with 1.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and .507 opponents’ OPS in 2015 — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 5, 2015

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