9 Royals Who Won't Return in 2024
By Joe Summers
3. Zack Greinke - SP
This makes me sad.
Greinke is among my personal favorite Royals of all-time. I'll never forget exclaiming in Chemistry class in high school that he'd won the Cy Young in 2007 before my teacher reprimanded me for looking at my phone.
He's been an integral part of my Royals fandom and I'm grateful he pitched his final innings in a Royals uniform. The future Hall of Famer hasn't yet announced his retirement, but it'd be a surprise if he continued playing after posting a 5.06 ERA this season.
2023 Fielding Bible Awards🏆
— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) October 26, 2023
Pitcher Winner - Zack Greinke, @Royals
* 3rd career Fielding Bible Award
* Leads all P in Defensive Runs Saved since stat first tracked in 2003
* 2nd in Defensive Runs Saved (P, 2023)
* Only Royals P to win Fielding Bible Award#WelcomeToTheCity pic.twitter.com/96ko2jMt63
That being said, Greinke is still excellent defensively and can fool batters with his deception. I'd love to see him serve a bullpen role, but asking him to lead the rotation when the overall goal is to build a rotation for the future is unwise.
Would I mind keeping Greinke around to help mentor the rising star Cole Ragans? Absolutely not. That sounds wonderful.
Do I think it's likely? Absolutely not. That sounds fanciful.