Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup
Nov 4 (The Sports Xchange) - As expected, right-handed ace Zack Greinke opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday to become one of the top free agents on the market. Greinke, a National League Cy Young Award candidate, finished the 2015 season with a 19-3 record and led the majors with a 1.66 ERA, the lowest since Greg Maddux's 1.63 ERA in 1995. The 32-year-old Greinke signed a six-year, $147 million deal with the Dodgers before the 2013 season but had the ability to opt out after three years. Greinke, who earned $25 million in 2015, leaves the remaining three years and $71 million guaranteed on the table to hit the open market. He won the 2009 American League Cy Young Award with the Kansas City Royals before a December 2010 trade to the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke has pitched in the majors for 12 years with a career 142-93 record and 3.35 ERA. - - - The New York Mets finalized a two-year contract extension with manager Terry Collins after reaching the World Series, the team announced. The extension runs through 2017 and replaces a club option that the club held for 2016. The Mets lost the World Series in five games to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday night. Collins, 66, guided the Mets to a 394-416 regular-season record in five years as manager and to their first World Series in 15 years. He is the oldest manager in the major leagues. The Mets (90-72) finished their first winning season under Collins in 2015 during his tenure and he was named National League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News. - - - The Cincinnati Reds made another significant offseason move, promoting Dick Williams to senior vice president and general manager. Williams takes over for current GM Walt Jocketty, who will remain as president of baseball operations. - - - The New York Yankees made several roster moves, including adding right-hander Vicente Campos to the 40-man roster and reinstating right-hander Domingo German, left-hander Domingo German, left-hander Jacob Lindgren, right-hander Chase Whitley and outfielder Mason Williams from the 60-day disabled list. In addition, right-hander Chris Martin was sold to the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan for $750,000 and right-hander Andrew Bailey elected free agency rather than being outrighted to the minor leagues. (Editing by Andrew Both)
