Prized free agent Zack Greinke agrees to join Dodgers

Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Zack Greinke agreed to a six-year, $147 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not yet in place.

Greinke, a free agent for the first time, had narrowed his choices to the Dodgers and Texas Rangers after the Los Angeles Angels, who traded for Greinke in July, all but declared themselves out of the bidding.

The Dodgers had been considered strong favorites to land Greinke given their considerable financial resources and impending broadcast agreement with Fox.

Greinke will be highest-paid right-hander in baseball history. The San Francisco Giants' Matt Cain signed a five-year, $112.5 million deal in April.

Greinke's average annual salary of $24.5 million will be the highest of any pitcher.

With the addition of Greinke, the Dodgers' payroll is around $220 million, which most likely will be the major leagues' highest in 2013. The Dodgers will pay a 17.5% luxury tax on their 2013 payroll.

The deal will be announced Monday.

Greinke, 29, combined to go 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA with the Angels and Milwaukee Brewers last season.