Dodgers still a little sore over Zack Greinke signing with D-backs
Feb 1, 2016, 2:36 PM | Updated: Feb 2, 2016, 3:56 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart, from left to right, President and CEO Derrick Hall, owner Ken Kendrick, pitcher Zack Greinke, manager Chip Hale, Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa, and Senior Vice-President Baseball Operations De Jon Watson pose for an image after a press conference, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Diamondbacks shocked the baseball world by luring prized free agent pitcher Zack Greinke away from the Los Angeles Dodgers back in December.
The old saying is “money talks”. The D-backs’ money was screaming that day when, in a whirlwhind 15 hours, they convinced Greinke to spurn the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. Arizona shelled out a six-year, $206.5 million deal that makes Greinke the highest-paid player in franchise history by a wide margin.
Even though some time has passed, the folks in Los Angeles are still pretty upset with the enigmatic Greinke — including those that work for the team.
Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela spouted off at the team’s FanFest over the weekend, and had this to say about Greinke, according to Dodgers Nation on Twitter:
Fernando on Greinke: “a better pitcher wouldn’t leave.” #DodgersFF
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 30, 2016
One might counter that thinking by saying maybe the Dodgers, a franchise with the highest payroll in baseball and seemingly unlimited resources, shouldn’t get outspent by a smaller market team — especially one in their division!
In a piece by Robert Pace on FoxSports.com, a poll asks Dodgers fans how they’ll receive Greinke when he returns to Dodger Stadium wearing Sedona Red, black (and teal, maybe). Sixty-three percent responded that they’ll shower him with deafening boos.
In case you’re wondering, the Diamondbacks open their road schedule Apr. 12 when a three-game series begins in Los Angeles. Greinke would likely start the third and final game of that set on Apr. 14.
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