While listening to MLB Network Radio’s Power Alley on Friday morning – the morning after the Dodgers’ season had come to an abrupt end after losing Game-5 of the NLDS to the New York Mets – show hosts Jim Memolo and Ryan Spilborghs talked about Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke exercising his opt-out clause at 3:30 in the morning after suffering the 3-2 loss.

During their discussion, the two talk show hosts said (and inferred) that because of the unusual hour and immediacy of Greinke’s announcement (which, by the way, has not been officially made), the soon-to-be 32-year-old (on Wednesday) Orlando, FL native clearly wants out of Los Angeles.

While I have always had nothing but the utmost respect for Memolo as a talk show host and Spilborghs as both a former player and recent addition to the MLB Network Radio family, the two simply didn’t have their facts straight. Granted, the pair were not as fortunate as those of us who have had the pleasure of covering Greinke very closely over the past three seasons, but to make such a bold and inaccurate statement on national radio was nothing short of irresponsible.

If you choose to believe what the national media is saying, Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke is as good as gone. But those much closer to the situation aren’t convinced that it won’t be a Dodger who re-sign him. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It has long been known that Greinke had an opt-out clause in his brilliantly-crafted Casey Close (Excel Sports Management) six-year / $147 million contract of which Greinke is still owed $71 million at the halfway point of the contract. But is has also long been known that there was absolutely zero doubt – none whatsoever – that the eccentric right-hander and 2015 NL Cy Young award hopeful was going to exercise his opt-out clause. I mean, why wouldn’t he? He’s looking at a potential new five-year contract that could net him upwards of $150 million. This isn’t breaking news, as the two talk show hosts implied, it’s year-old news. Had the two talking heads taken the time to review that (numerous) articles and tweets by the Dodgers beat writers, they would have discovered that not only does Greinke want to remain in L.A., he considers the Dodgers franchise the best in all of baseball.

Memolo and Spilborghs took their misinformation one step further when they incorrectly opined that Greinke did not like the atmosphere in the Dodgers clubhouse. On this I can absolutely guarantee couldn’t be further from the truth.

“We’d love to keep him,” said Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez of Greinke. “He’s a big part of this team. He’s been incredible the whole time he’s been here. We love him. We hope he opts to stay.”

AGon’s sentiments were supported by perhaps the most important figure in the Dodgers clubhouse – defending NL MVP and Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers unofficial clubhouse leader.

“Getting to watch Zack this whole year has been amazing. I hope he can come back obviously. I consider him a pretty good friend now,” said Kershaw. “I want Zack back, there’s no question about it. A lot of good pitchers out there on the free agent market obviously, but nobody for the money I’d rather have than Zack.”

Sorry Jim and Ryan, but you both struck out badly on this one.