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.
Greinke 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.
Greinke was among 12 additional players who became free agents to raise the total to 151, the Major League Baseball Players Association said Wednesday.