Former Cy Young Zack Greinke Isn't Retired Yet, Plans to Pitch in 2024

Many expected Zack Greinke to retire when he hit free agency this offseason, but the longtime Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers righty still wants to pitch next year.

The end of the 2023 MLB season served as a swan song for several baseball legends, from Miguel Cabrera to Adam Wainwright.

It seemed, for a time, that Zack Greinke would be included on that list, but it appears that the former Cy Young Award winner is trying to stick around for another year.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that Greinke's representatives are telling teams he is preparing to pitch in 2024, and that the veteran free agent is open to contract talks.

Zack Greinke's representatives have communicated to @MLB teams that he's preparing to pitch in 2024 and is open to contract talks.

Greinke, 40, went 2-15 with a 5.06 ERA this year over 142 1/3 innings. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2023

It's been a long road for Greinke over the past 20 years, with his journey starting all the way back in 2002 when the Kansas City Royals picked him No. 6 overall in the MLB Draft. Greinke made it to the majors in 2004, finishing fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Greinke made his first All-Star Game in 2009, a few months before he locked up the AL Cy Young award. The Royals shipped Greinke to the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the 2011 season, and then the Brewers flipped him to the Los Angeles Angels at the 2012 trade deadline.

Over the next nine years, Greinke racked up All-Star appearances, Gold Gloves and Cy Young votes out west, starting with his stint as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Greinke eventually signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who would then trade him to the Houston Astros in 2019.

Greinke re-signed with the Royals prior to last season, bringing him back to his roots at age 38. After going 4-9 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.342 WHIP in 2022, Greinke went 2-15 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.272 WHIP in 2023.

In 586 MLB appearances, Greinke is 225-156 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, 2,979 strikeouts and a 77.5 WAR. The 40-year-old, if he doesn't have a Hall of Fame resume already, can virtually punch his ticket to Cooperstown by joining the 3,000 strikeout club.

Greinke and longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who was also widely presumed to retire this offseason, are now likely to be among the top outgoing stars in 2024. Clayton Kershaw and Evan Longoria's futures also remains up in the air, as both are free agents alongside Greinke and Votto.

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