Rising righty Greinke, Royals agree to four-year deal

"Yeah, he had some setbacks along the way, which are self-proclaimed by him," Moore said. "A lot of people, and a lot of his teammates helped out, too. It's been a process that everyone's been involved with. But ultimately, Zack's the one who's earned this opportunity."

After earning $1,475,000 last season, Greinke asked for $4.4 million in arbitration when he exchanged proposed salaries with the Royals last week. The team offered $3.4 million.

He gets $3.75 million this year, $7.25 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in each of the final two seasons of the deal.

Gratitude was not the only reason he wanted to stay with the long-woeful Royals, who have improved their victory total each of the past three seasons.

"Each year we've improved and it looks like we're going to continue to," he said. "And that's pretty exciting for me because like I said, three or four years ago I didn't see it coming. It's really taken a good turn for the better.

"Three years ago I was in the minor leagues, two years ago I was in the bullpen not capable of getting hitters out as a starter. Just coming from being so low in those situations to being, after one good year, a really good deal and the chance to stay with Kansas City for four more years. ... It's just really neat to look back at it."

Kansas City has three players remaining in arbitration: outfielder-infielder Mark Teahen, first baseman Mike Jacobs and right-hander Brian Bannister.