Don’t Blame The Angels For Not Re-Signing Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke has left. He was introduced by the Dodgers in a press conference yesterday. Greinke got the richest contract ever for a pitcher. Don’t blame the Angels for not re-signing him.

Dec 11, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Zack Greinke at a press conference to announce his signing to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent pitcher at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

There were reports yesterday that they didn’t make an effort to try and re-sign him. Greinke said they kept in contact, however, they never exchanged terms on a new deal.  They pitched Greinke on being able to play with Mike Trout for the next six years and Albert Pujols as well. But it never got down to terms.Maybe the Angels knew they couldn’t keep him. Even though they are going to have a top ten payroll in MLB this year, they don’t have Dodger money. The only team that has anything close to having that is the Yankees and they are cutting back on payroll.

No, the Angels knew the risk in trading three of their top prospects from an already thin system in order to get Greinke. Who knew that the bullpen would implode so many times late in the year, costing the team wins?

It’s entirely possible that all of the moves the Dodgers have made, including Greinke’s signing, doesn’t work out for them. It’s not about spending money. It’s about spending it wisely and getting the correct players for your team, not about getting an all-star team.

Jerry Dipoto is going to replace Greinke, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana with Joe Blanton, Tommy Hanson and Garrett Richards, barring a free agent signing or a trade that we don’t know about. He added Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett to the bullpen.

Is the bullpen stronger? Without a doubt. Is the rotation weaker? As of now, yes. Let’s what else happens first though. Dipoto knew the risks and he had a plan to help fill the spots. Now, we just have to see if the plan works.