D-backs players thrilled with Greinke news
PHOENIX -- Like the rest of the baseball world, D-backs players were stunned Friday night when the news broke about the signing of Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million contract.
"I was shocked when I heard the news," D-backs left-hander Patrick Corbin said. "But it was great news. We just became a lot better. It's huge news for Arizona and for the future."
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Outfielder A.J. Pollock was also caught off guard.
"I was stunned," he said. "Really don't have any words to describe the fact that we're getting Greinke. I guess the first thing that went through my head was I'm absolutely ecstatic that I don't have to face him."
Pollock is 3-for-12 in his career against Greinke.
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"He's a nightmare to game plan for," added Pollock. "For me, he's the toughest pitcher to face in the league. So it's always good to add those guys to your team."
Corbin had been the team's de facto ace, but now the 26-year-old can slide into the No. 2 spot.
"I think it's going to be great for us," Corbin said. "The years I've been here, we really haven't had someone like that, like a presence in the clubhouse that will make the rest of the rotation better. We're going to want to go out there and compete like we know that he has.
"I'm just excited for him to join us and make myself better and make everyone around us better. It just makes next year that much more exciting."
Even before the Greinke news, D-backs players had been looking forward to 2016 after jumping from 64 wins in '14 to 79 last season.
"Everyone has been excited about where this team is going, and this obviously is a huge step for us," Pollock said. "We show up every day and work hard and put our best effort on the field, and now getting an elite ace like this is pretty awesome."