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The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter.
Good morning, and happy second day of free agency. Zack Greinke opted out of his contract with the Dodgers, officially making him a free agent. Boston is expected to be interested, however some have suggested he would not be able to handle the Boston media. Over the Monster's Matt Collins finds such a claim ridiculous.
The narrative is that Greinke’s anxiety will somehow become an issue again if/when he’s forced to deal with the big, bad Boston media on a daily basis. This isn’t to totally discount the idea that playing in Boston isn’t for everyone, either. It’s clearly a more intensive market than just about any other in the league, and it’s affected players in the past. The most obvious example is Carl Crawford, whose did not try to hide how little he enjoyed playing here in 2011 and 2012. However, even with those example, it’s an overblown narrative, especially when it comes to Greinke. It ignores everything that’s happened in his life — both on the field and off of it — in the last decade. This is a guy who has played in Los Angeles, a large market in its own right, and has made nine postseason starts. He’s played in high-pressure environments, and played very well.
A recent free agency projection has Ian Kennedy, Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy all signing with the Angels this winter. Halos Heaven hopes the prediction is wrong.
I have to be honest, the offseason outlined above would make me pretty angry. Not only are the dollars and years pretty outrageous, but the message these signings would send would be one of having learned nothing from a past full of long and expensive free-agent gambles; continual undervaluing of what a good farm system can reap (something the lack of a QO to David Freese also seems to signify); and the tired notion that past success equals future rewards.
Philadelphia's payroll will likely be a topic of discussion this winter, and one rival front office executive told ESPN's Buster Olney the Phillies might not be in a good position for quite some time.
Rival exec on how unfettered the Phillies' payroll is, and how they are ready to grow: "I could see them being where Cubs are now by 2020."
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 7, 2015
Why would Zack Greinke not re-sign with the Dodgers? The only justification would be if Los Angeles prefers David Price, according to Grant Brisbee.
It's possible that the Dodgers prefer David Price. That's the only way Greinke doesn't sign with them. The pointy heads and abacus twiddlers and scouting gurus like something in Price -- his frame, his age, the way he doesn't look like Joaquin Phoenix inParenthood -- and that's their offseason target to pair with Clayton Kershaw. Or maybe they're thinking that spending extra for both Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto would be preferable to just one Greinke.
While the Dodgers might be interested in Price, the Cubs are the "heavy favorites" to sign the veteran left-handed starter.
Despite Papelbon's interaction with Bryce Harper and Drew Storen's displeasure with the Nationals' decision to acquire Papelbon, both Storen and Papelbon are expected to return to Washington in 2016.
Seattle and Tampa Bay completed a six-player trade Thursday night. Logan Morrison is among the pieces headed to Tampa.
Oakland is not expected to move Sonny Gray or Josh Reddick this winter.
Important Links
Qualifying offers tracker - Keep track of which clubs made qualifying offers over the last few days.
Options tracker - Every team, every option and the decision in one place.
Free agent tracker - Wondering who will be a free agent this winter? No need to look any further.
Today in Baseball History: On this day in 2002, the Baseball Writers Association of American selects Barry Zito as the American League Cy Young award winner.