Right-hander Zack Greinke is poised to cash in via free agency this offseason, and appears to be the top stating pitcher slated to hit the market. Matt Cain's extension with the San Francisco Giants -- six years, $127.5 million -- may be the standard for Greinke, but he's been off his game since the Los Angeles Angels acquired him just before the July 31 trade deadline.
Greinke did get his first win Wednesday, but surrendered four earned runs versus the Indians in seven innings, and has already allowed more home runs in August -- four in three starts -- than in any other month in 2012.
His strikeout rate is down since the trade, his walk rate is up and opponents are batting .320 against him. Perhaps it's just a small sample size and he'll get back on track. Perhaps the American League has caught up with him since he last pitched regularly there in 2010, though that seems unlikely since it's been just two years and Greinke still brings the same caliber stuff and ability to command his pitches to the mound.
Greinke's performance over the next five weeks -- and possibly into October -- could play a large role in his free agency. If the AL lights him up, perhaps the highest bidders will be National League clubs, potentially leaving the likes of the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigersa little concerned about giving upwards of $120 million to such a pitcher for the long haul.
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