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Your Daily Greinke
[TKB] Evaluators See No Risk in Greinke's Long-Term Deal - Several executives and talent evaluators here at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings believe the D-backs’ six-year, $206 million investment is not a stretch, even if the contract takes Greinke through his age-37 season. Some even made it sound like a steal "I’m all in on that one," one veteran evaluator said Monday. "If I was going to gamble the length and the amount … sure, he’s getting a million dollars a start. Yeah that’s outrageous. Simply outrageous. But there is that money in the game. I think they beat the crowd on that one, I really do."
[AZ Central] Diamondbacks still looking to add after Zack Greinke deal - La Russa said that from the moment he had Kendrick’s approval to when Greinke agreed to terms, perhaps roughly five hours had elapsed. "It was stunning," La Russa said. "Ken came up and said if we’re going to get in there, this is the money that should get their attention and get him to be a Diamondback and this is the term. I think it was more evaluating what we could afford and his value to our ballclub."
[FOX Sports] Three reasons Zack Greinke chose Diamondbacks over Dodgers - Greinke’s a little more bullish on the Diamondbacks than you might be. Sounds that way, anyhow: "There's a couple things I was really looking at with teams besides the money, I guess. The No. 1 was to have a team that could have a chance to win a World Series for several years. ... My main goal was a team that was competing each year to get a World Series."
[Examiner.com] Signing with Diamondbacks, Greinke was influenced by ethics, success - In the end, it was the Diamondbacks’ culture which convinced Zack Greinke that Chase Field should be his next home. "(Greinke) saw the improvements we made from the previous season to last season," La Russa said. "He saw the way (manager Chip Hale) handled the team, saw the relationships between the players, noticed the fans’ interest, and took into consideration strong television ratings. Those things made an impression on him."
[MLB.com] Zack Greinke agreed with D-backs in one day - While the Dodgers apparently were not willing to give Greinke a sixth year, the D-backs believe that given Greinke's pitching style, that sixth year should not be a problem. "His delivery is smooth," Stewart said. "He can turn it up. He can pitch at 94, 95, 96 [mph] if he wants to, but he chooses to pitch at 92, 93 and make pitches. This is a guy that's a pitcher, and when you have the ability to dial it up, make pitches to control the game like he does, it doesn't scare you in the sixth year, I guess is the best way to put it."
Diamondbacks news
[AZ Central] Diamondbacks budget tight as meetings begin - Following their commitment to Greinke, whose new deal will pay him an average of $34.4 million per year the Diamondbacks are pushing up against their payroll limit, a source said Sunday... While the rotation remains a possible area of need, the club is also said to be considering back-end relief options, as well. Specific targets are unclear, but the Tampa Bay Rays are said to be willing to discuss late-inning relievers Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee.
[LA Times] Angels could match up with Diamondbacks on trade for infielder - The teams appear to match up well for a potential trade, with the Angels having a surplus of starting pitching and Arizona having a surplus of infielders. The Angels have eight starting pitchers with big league experience — Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney, Hector Santiago, Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Matt Shoemaker, Nick Tropeano and Tyler Skaggs — all with varying talent and salary levels, increasing the chance of a fit with Arizona.
#Braves continue to field lots of calls on Miller. Nothing close but #Cubs #Diamondbacks #Dodgers #Redsox staying in touch
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 7, 2015
#Dbacks GM Dave Stewart says there's "big hesitation" in dealing AJ Pollock. Didn't completely close the door. "Taking in information."
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 7, 2015
Not hearing much optimism from Dbacks people re: Mike Leake. Told the post-Greinke budget has them looking more at trades than free agents.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) December 6, 2015
And, elsewhere...
Source said this morning pegged odds of a Jose Fernandez trade at 1%. Now: "I'd push that into the 40s(%)." MIA can get a lot in return.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 7, 2015
On the other hand...
Mike Hill on Jose: "He's not available. We haven't made him available. But, it doesn't stop the phone calls from happening." #Marlins
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) December 8, 2015
And this is likely why Chapman's trade has been delayed...
[Yahoo] Police report: Aroldis Chapman fired gunshots, 'choked' girlfriend in domestic incident - "Chapman allegedly fired eight gunshots in the garage of his Miami-area home following an argument with his girlfriend in which she told police he "choked" her and pushed her against a wall. No arrests were made after the incident, in which more than a dozen police officers were dispatched to Chapman’s home in Davie, Fla., around 11 p.m. on Oct. 30. Chapman’s girlfriend exited the house and hid in bushes following the argument that stemmed from something she found on Chapman’s cellphone, according to the police report." Guess he'll fit in well in LA, with Puig.
[MLB Trade Rumors] Mariners Acquire Miley, Aro In Exchange For Smith, Elias - The Mariners acquired left-hander Wade Miley and right-handed reliever Jonathan Aro from the Red Sox in exchange for lefty Roenis Elias and right-handed reliever Carson Smith. Both teams have formally announced the trade. Miley, 29, has a long history with Dipoto, who not only was a consultant with the Red Sox after electing to leave his job with the Angels this summer but also served as the Diamondbacks’ scouting director when Miley was drafted back in 2008.
Cliff Lee drawing interest from 15 clubs
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 7, 2015