San Francisco Giants: Top 5 free agent options to fill the rotation

Oct 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) in the eighth inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Zack Greinke – RHP

Zack Greinke is an interesting case. He is a pitcher who seems to have figured things out on the mound. His ERA last year of 1.66 is astounding. You have to go back to 1994-1995 Greg Maddux for numbers like that. Maddux had an ERA of 1.56 in 1994 and 1.63 in 1995. So yes, he’s good.

Signing Greinke would not only bolster the rotation, but weaken the one he pitched in last year. As a Los Angeles Dodger, he is 51-15 over the last three years, with a 2.48 ERA. Taking him away from them, and shaking up their chemistry even more, would also be worth it as a division rival.

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But how worth it?

As was explained in the previous slide, if you decide on a guy like Greinke, you are probably standing pat with what is left. Maybe an arm like Tyler Beede or Kyle Crick have a phenomenal spring, and forces the issue. But again, if Greinke is signed, it probably means no to another free agent arm.

It makes sense in that it would likely be a slightly shorter contract as Greinke is a bit older than the others considered in the upper echelon. The team still is producing quality young arms, and doesn’t really need a starter on a 7 year deal. Remember, the Giants are negotiating against teams that need number one arms, and the Giants already have one.

Greinke was declined his tender by the Dodgers, so the Giants would lose a draft pick if they were to sign him.

So how about a World Series champion…