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The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that they have extended a $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitchers Zack Greinke, Brett Anderson and second baseman Howie Kendrick.
#Dodgers extend qualifying offers to Zack Greinke, Brett Anderson and Howie Kendrick. https://t.co/EJhc9bMz4P
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 6, 2015
After Greinke announced that he would opt out of the final three years of his six-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 31-year-old received the $15.8 million qualifying offer.
Over the first three years of his contract, Greinke was 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA, striking out 555 over 602.2 innings. In 2015, he was 19-3 with an MLB-best 1.66 ERA. He pitched in 222.2 innings with 200 strikeouts and a 0.84 WHIP. From mid-June to late July, Greinke had a 45.2 scoreless innings streak that was snapped on July 26 against the New York Mets. Historically, that finished as the fourth best scoreless streak.
Anderson receiving a $15.8 million qualifying offer comes as a slight surprise.
While the 28-year-old Anderson did pitch in a career-high 180.1 innings, he has not exceeded 80.0 innings in any other season since 2011. The ground-ball pitcher has been riddled with injuries. Whether it is Tommy John surgery, back spasms, or a broken finger, Anderson is a risky investment despite his age. In 2015, Anderson went 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA
Kendrick has been a model of consistency at a position without many reliable contributors.
Over his 10-year career, the 32-year-old Kendrick regularly posts a respectable batting average with reasonable power for a second baseman. In his one and only year with the Dodgers, Kendrick hit .295/.336/.409 with nine home runs and 54 runs batted in. He is not a liability in the field so he will garner considerable attention in free agency.
All three players are expected to reject the qualifying offer.
