The Giants' reported backup plan if they miss out on Zack Greinke
The San Francisco Giants are rumored to be in a tug-of-war with the Los Angeles Dodgers over free-agent starter Zack Greinke, but as strong as the Giants' desire to bring Greinke onto their pitching staff is, they have a Plan B in place if he ends up signing elsewhere.
FOX Sports baseball insider Ken Rosenthal reports that the Giants have their eyes on free-agent right-handed starters Jeff Samardzija and Mike Leake should Greinke not sign on to come to San Francisco.
Rosenthal adds that they are also looking at veteran John Lackey as an option, or acquiring a starter through a trade as well.
Sources: Samardzija and Leake are Plan B for #SFGiants if they lose Greinke. Lackey also an option, as is a trade. No word yet on Greinke.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2015
After the Boston Red Sox signed David Price to a seven-year, $217-million contract a few days ago, Greinke is expected to land a deal worth at least $32 million annually for four to six years.
The Giants and the Dodgers both need a solid right-hander in their rotation to counter aces Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw, respectively.
San Francisco, in particular, is eager to sign a righty ace as former aces Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum have suffered major attrition in the past few seasons.
