Enrique Hernandez begs Zack Greinke to stay with the Dodgers on Twitter
All you had to do was ask nicely.
That’s what Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez hopes free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke will say if and when he sees Hernandez’s tweet begging him to stay with the Dodgers.
[Jeff Passan’s Ultimate Free Agent Tracker]
Greinke, who opted out of his deal on Nov. 4 with three years and $71 million remaining, is on the open market now looking for a longer term contract that will likely be the final big payday of his outstanding career. The Dodgers are believed to be favorites to retain his services, but Hernandez isn’t taking any chances. He wants Greinke to know how much he enjoyed playing behind him, and how badly he wishes for his return.
Greinke would really have to be cold-hearted to ignore that wouldn’t he?
Hernandez has no money to offer. Just a lot of hope, a few prayers and all of the enthusiam he can muster. Oh, and an extra Greinke jersey should he need to borrow one.Â
We doubt this is the route President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi will go when they make their formal pitch to Greinke, but we’re sure they appreciate the effort nonetheless. It also wouldn’t be surprising if Dodgers’ fans started making similar pleas on social media. Though imagine how extra painful it would be if Greinke still leaves, especially if he ended up going to the rival San Francisco Giants.
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That outcome is highly possible, as are several others. Greinke is coming off a 19-3 last season with a league-leading 1.66 ERA and could easily be handed his second career Cy Young award next week. He’ll be in demand, and he’ll be well paid, he’ll just needs to figure out what makes him happy and which teams gives him the best chance to achieve that happiness.
If it comes down to where he’s wanted most though, Enrique Hernandez just gave the Dodgers a big edge early in the free agency process.Â
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
