Zack Greinke's 2023 Future Seemingly Decided

Zack Greinke just completed his 19th season in the majors, back with the team with which it all began, the Kansas City Royals. And although there were some warning signs, he still finished with a 3.68 ERA. It was unclear recently whether he'd return for his 20th season, but a new report indicates that it's set to happen. 

Zack Greinke is expected to pitch another season for the Royals. 👏 https://t.co/5LrHe9iWCi pic.twitter.com/TTKq1DikMq

— theScore (@theScore) November 4, 2022

MLB Insider Jon Heyman says that the Royals are interested, and Greinke is indeed expected to pitch in Kansas City in 2023.

His lifetime numbers are impressive, with a 3.42 career ERA and a 1.17 WHIP with an 8:2 K/BB ratio. And as Heyman notes, his career WAR of 76.4 is just a notch below Justin Verlander (77.7) and a tick ahead of Clayton Kershaw (75.9). That's some good company.

In 2022, however, the six-time All-Star's strikeout rate dropped to a career-low, by a wide margin, at just 4.8 per 9 innings. His WHIP, at 1.34, was the highest its been since 2005. Those are the warning signs, but he still managed to keep the walks down to a minuscule rate of 1.8/9 innings, which in turn helped him keep down the ERA at 3.68. 

He was on a 1-year, $13M contract with KC this season, so it remains to be seen what they'll work out for '23. 

Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports