St. Louis Cardinals: What the Big FA Signings Mean

Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks

Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

This has easily been the bombshell so far. I certainly didn’t see it coming. Rumors leading up to Zack Greinke‘s 6-year, $206 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks had the media-shy right-hander going to the San Francisco Giants or the Los Angeles Dodgers. The sentiment was he wanted to go back to L.A., but for more money.

Well, he got his money alright, from a surprise team that is, unfortunately, still in the National League. Greinke is already 32 years old, yet Arizona gave him six years, albeit with no opt out.

It’s really hard to say what this deal will mean to the St. Louis Cardinals. They get four games against the Snakes in Phoenix, where they’ll likely face Greinke, and another three against them at home. But what really matters is if everything clicks and the Diamondbacks reach the postseason. The Diamondbacks will pitch Greinke on short rest with a playoff series on the line. Let’s hope the St. Louis Cardinals will be able to handle him in those circumstances.