Dodgers' reportedly close to deal with Zack Greinke

Free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke and the Los Angeles Dodgers tried to close a six-year, $147-million deal last night, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no completed contract.

Greinke is the top arm on the open market and has attracted interest from the Dodgers, Texas and the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old righty started last season with Milwaukee before being traded to the Angels, going a combined 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA.

The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner with Kansas City would be the latest high-priced player to be acquired by the Dodgers. They traded for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, pitcher Josh Beckett and outfielder Carl Crawford late last season.

With the Dodgers, Greinke would pair with 2011 NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw to create a formidable top of the rotation. The Dodgers, infused with money after the 2012 sale to an ownership group that includes Magic Johnson, went 86-76 last season and finished eight games behind eventual World Series champion San Francisco in the NL West.

Greinke is 91-78 with a 3.77 ERA in nine seasons with the Royals, Brewers and Angels.

-- AP