The Los Angeles Dodgers reached out to Zack Greinke during the season in an attempt to prevent him from reaching free agency, says general manager Farhan Zaidi.

It was made clear to the Dodgers that Greinke would opt to hit the open market. The right-hander exercised his opt-out and elected free agency after receiving $75 million over the past three years, forfeiting the remaining $71 million over the next three years.

"We definitely expressed our interest in having him return, [he's] been a big part of club for last three seasons," Zaidi said. "With the season he had, I think there was intent on their part to playing out the season and get to this part and make a decision on the player option.

"In these negotiations you have a sense for when things are going to advance and for when a player is intent on hitting free agency. I understand why and that was more their intent. Again, we expressed our interest in having him continue with the organization."