UPDATE (3:33 p.m.): The Cardinals confirmed their deal with Mike Leake in a press conference.
Right-handed starter Mike Leake inks a 5-year deal for 2016-20 seasons with mutual option for 2021 #STLCards https://t.co/UJIdgzHKBx
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 22, 2015
Original Story: It looks as though the St. Louis Cardinals got in on the free agent pitching market.
The Cardinals reportedly reached a deal with Mike Leake on a five-year, $80 million contract, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday. Leake spent five full seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in the second half of 2015.
Leake will provide depth in the Cards’ rotation, as they lost Lance Lynn for the 2016 season to Tommy John surgery and John Lackey to the Chicago Cubs. Leake’s numbers aren’t exactly flashy — he went 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA between the Reds and the Giants last season — but he can give about 30 starts and 200 innings and is just 28 years old.
Rosenthal reported Leake’s deal also has an option that could increase the value to around $93 million, as well as a full no-trade clause.
Thumbnail photo via Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports Images
