(AP) Milwaukee, WI - Fresh into their first series of a promising the season, Milwaukee Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin tells ESPN that the Brewers are close to locking up standout starting pitcher Zack Greinke to a five year, $80 million dollar extension that will keep Zack with the Brewers through the 2017 season. Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner with the Kansas City Royals has two years and $27 million remaining on a four year deal he signed prior to the 2009 season with Kansas City. The deal, which includes an option for a sixth season, will pay Greinke $15 million dollars during the 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons and $17.5 million for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The deal includes a team option for a 6th season at $20 million dollars (buyout at $5 million). Asked to comment on the deal which could reach $100 million dollars over 6 years, Greinke stated "I was very excited about coming to Milwaukee after the off season moves they made to establish the Brewers as a perennial playoff contender. Now that the Brewers have a core of young talent locked up for several years, I've decided that this is where I want to be to win a World Series. $100 million dollars is alot of money for anybody, and I'm very fortunate to be playing a game I love in a city where I feel I can be very comfortable". The Brewers, who opened the season Thursday with maybe the highest expectations since the 1983 squad opened the season as the reigning American League Champs, hope this extension propels the team to a fast start in what could be the Brewers first trip to the World Series since 1982. www.ESPN.com/Brewers/HappyAprilFoolsDay2011