Zack Greinke Agrees to Deal With Diamondbacks

Free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke is about to become the richest player in MLB history after he reportedly agreed to a six-year, $206 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

Greinke's deal blows David Price's seven-year, $217 million dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox out of the water as Price's deal is worth an annual average salary of $31 million, whereas Greinke's deal is worth an average of $34.3 million. That officially makes Greinke the highest paid player in MLB history.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers were reportedly close to re-signing Greinke, as Ken Rosenthal reported that the former Cy Young Award winning pitcher was deciding between the Dodgers and Giants.

However, the Diamondbacks, led by team President Tony LaRussa and General Manager Dave Stewart, made a late push, outbidding both NL West divisional rivals.

Greinke is 32-years-old, and led the major leagues with a 1.66 ERA last season, the lowest in 20 years (Greg Maddux). His absence in the Dodgers rotation, will bring the best one-two punch in baseball to a close after three tremendous seasons that saw Los Angeles win three consecutive NL West Division titles.

After finishing second in the NL Cy Young Award race this season to Chicago Cubs ace, Jake Arrieta, Greinke opted out of the final three years, $71 million of his contract with the Dodgers in order to hit the free-agent market.

Meanwhile, Greinke slides into a young starting rotation in Arizona that features the likes of Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa, Robbie Ray and Chase Anderson. The Diamondbacks finished third in the NL West last season with a 79-32 record, but with a talented lineup that features first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and center fielder A.J. Pollock, Arizona is expected to be much-improved next season.