Zack Greinke rumors: Dodgers, Rangers favorites; Angels 'dark horse'

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are viewed as the "best bets" to sign free agent Zack Greinke, while the Los Angeles Angels are a "dark horse" in the sweepstakes for the right-hander, reports Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times:

#Dodgers and #Rangers look like best bets for Greinke, #Angels dark horse.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 4, 2012

While Shaikin considers the Dodgers and Rangers to be the favorites to land Greinke, Jim Bowden of ESPN considers the Dodgers and Angels as the most-likely candidates to wind up signing the free agent, with Texas coming in third.

As is usually the case this time of year, the infamous mystery team was added to the mix of Greinke suitors, and Bowden believes it could possibly be the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox or Boston Red Sox. He also notes that the Atlanta Braves, who are reportedly high on Greinke’s list, and Washington Nationals, who recently signed right-hander Dan Haren, are "unlikely" to acquire the right-hander.

Over 34 starts with the Milwaukee Brewers and Angels last season Greinke maintained an ERA of 3.48. The 29-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.77 with 8.0 strikeouts and 2.3 walks per nine innings over nine seasons at the major league level.