The Diamondbacks and highly coveted free agent pitcher Zack Greinke have agreed to a six-year deal worth $206.5 million dollars. And as expected, the annual value of the deal reaches $34.5 million making it the highest such contract in MLB history surpassing Miguel Cabrera and the recently signed David Price‘s AAV of $31 million.
Greinke average annual value of $34.42M shatters previous record of $31M shared by Price and Miguel Cabrera.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2015
Additionally, unlike the Price deal which had no deferrals and an opt out clause in 2018 it’s not believed that Greinke’s deal with Arizona has differed money. According to sources cited by Rosenthal Greinke could see $60 million plus in deferred money once everything is all said and done.
Waiting to see how both union and MLB value Greinke deal with #DBacks. Source says $60M+ in deferrals, present value closer to $190M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2015
Greinke, who was arguably the best pitcher in baseball last season finished 2015 with a 19-3 record and 1.66 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And in addition to the Dodgers, it was believed that the San Francisco Giants were also in on Greinke before the Diamondbacks went in for the kill.
