The Arizona Diamondbacks made some big moves this offseason to turn themselves into contenders for 2016, but Zack Greinke apparently was concerned about the cost of one of the moves.
Signing Greinke was the biggest transaction by Arizona, as they committed $205 million to the former Dodgers pitcher. The second-biggest move was acquiring Shelby Miller in a trade with the Braves. Though Miller has been a good starter the past three seasons, his addition came at a hefty price; Arizona gave up former No. 1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson, as well as other prospects Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair, to get him.
According to a Bill Shaikin article in the Los Angeles Times, Greinke was “frustrated and disappointed” by how much the D-backs gave up in the trade.
The Diamondbacks weakened their depth, by a little or by a lot, with the Miller trade. Greinke was said by friends to be frustrated and disappointed at how much talent the Diamondbacks lost in getting Miller. Greinke, asked whether he liked the trade, deflected the question without a yes or no.
If giving Greinke $205 million through his age 37 season wasn’t enough of a sign that Arizona’s front office was making questionable moves, then the Miller trade certainly sealed that sentiment.
The good news is the Diamondbacks should be competitive this season. The bad news is they weakened their minor league system for the future. Of course, when it comes to Greinke, we all know what his real motivation is.
