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Report: Dodgers offered D-Backs $25M annually to reacquire Greinke

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Though the Los Angeles Dodgers fell short in their bid to re-sign Zack Greinke last winter, the eventual division champions were reportedly willing to spend considerable money to acquire him from Arizona ahead of this season's non-waiver trade deadline.

Despite an implied desire to get their league-high payroll below the luxury-tax threshold, the Dodgers proposed a deal in July, in which they would've paid Arizona $25 million of the $34.42 average annual value on Greinke's deal, to reacquire the 32-year-old right-hander, according to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball.

Even with their club mired in fifth place in the National League West, though, Diamondbacks' ownership turned down Los Angeles' offer, wanting the Dodgers to cover the entire $189.5 million (or so) left on Greinke's mammoth six-year contract. Had they accepted the proposal, the Diamondbacks would've owed Greinke, a three-time All-Star, another $47.5 million from 2017 through 2021.

Year Salary Dodgers pay D-Backs pay
2017 $34M $25M $9M
2018 $34M $25M $9M
2019 $34.5M $25M $9.5M
2020 $35 $25M $10M
2021 $35 $25M $10M
TOTAL $172.5M $125M $47.5M

Two months later, the Dodgers likely have no regrets about failing to land Greinke. Instead of committing more than $125 million to the eccentric veteran, the Dodgers brokered a deal with the Oakland Athletics for Rich Hill, who fashioned a 1.83 ERA in six starts down the stretch and helped Los Angeles to its fourth straight NL West title.

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