After spending much of the offseason searching for a rotation upgrade, the Cardinals got the job done on Tuesday when they signed Mike Leake to a five-year deal worth a guaranteed $80MM. The deal, which includes a mutual option that can boost the deal to $93-94MM and a full no-trade clause, gives the Cardinals some much-needed support on the backend of their starting five. This offseason, St. Louis lost right-hander John Lackey to free agency and right-hander Lance Lynn will be out after getting Tommy John surgery.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions to Leake’s hefty payday:
- Leake had discussions with teams about doing a three-year deal at $20MM per season with opt-outs after each year, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears (on Twitter). Ultimately, however, Leake signed on for a guaranteed average annual value of $16MM over five seasons.
- The Leake signing includes a hidden benefit for the Cardinals, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. Leake did not cost the Cards a draft pick since the mid-season deal sending him to San Francisco made him ineligible for a qualifying offer. The Cardinals, meanwhile, picked up an additional two picks when they lost Lackey and Jason Heyward to the Cubs in free agency. Teams generally view a late-first round pick as being worth $5-8MM, sources tell Rosenthal, so the net cost for signing Leake might be something closer to $72-75MM for St. Louis.
- Leake’s consistency and durability make him ideal fit for the Cardinals, Keith Law of ESPN.com writes (Insider sub. req’d). Law argues that Leake’s deal is about the going rate for a league-average starter right now but his ability to eat up innings and induce ground balls make him an ideal fit for the Cards. Leake has made over 30 starts in each of the last four seasons and has never suffered an arm injury. The Cardinals need an innings eater badly and ground ball pitching is something that they value highly, Law writes.
- The $80MM deal might seem steep at first glance, but Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs took a stab at justifying it for St. Louis. Among the arguments made is that Leake is only 28 years of age. He was one of the youngest free agent hurlers available this winter and unlike other available under-30 pitchers, Leake has a history of being dependable.
- On Wednesday, MLB Trade Rumors’ Instagram account unveiled a sneak peak at what Leake will look like in his new jersey.
Im really pleased with this deal, good job Mo! He fits the bill as to what the Cards need, and he didn’t cost as much as Price. Now, go find a bat!
“never had an arm injury” if that aint the kiss of death when talking about pitchers!!??
Might as well just put him on the cover of the show and sports illustrated.
Just think, the Cardinals have 3 draft choices out of the top 40 picks next June. Wow what a management!!!!!
I agree that it’s great to have 3 in the top 40 but this isn’t the NFL where everyone makes it. If 2 of the 3 make the bigs that would be a huge win.
Good signing. Esp a pitcher that hit better than out 2 first basemen Adams and Moss. Maybe Leake can play first too.
That’s nice now we need Cespedes
The cards are an organization that many others should mirror. Good drafting, trades and solid development. Perennial playoff contenders and strong fan base. My only complaint would be that their owners have banked a tonne of money with all their post season play. They should spend a little extra in the coming years, at least 2018 when it will likely be the best free agent market of all time.
That math on the “well he doesnt cost a draft pick so the actual value of his deal is less” is wrong.
Right. A similar comment that would make more sense would be “Samardzija’s actual cost was more like $95m-$98m due to SF having to sacrifice a pick to sign him.” It’s not like St. Louis got a pick for signing Leake.
Nice job with the draft pics now please go get a bat. Cargo if the best fit. But others are out there.
Agree, the Cardinals needs power in the lineup and Cargo is the best option if he is healthy he fits well in the lineup.He will be a free agent in two years from now.But the Rockies would ask for a lot in return to acquire him and the Cards should not send our top prospects in the deal but maybe one of them along with Matt Adams or Kolten Wong.The Cardinals can not make the same error that we did last year sending Shelby Miller to Atlanta for Jayson Heyward who left the team after a year.
Reaction from Mitch Harris, new teammate and former Navy Lieutenant:
“The name clearly fits the purpose. In the Navy, we appreciate anything that can hold back water. In Mike’s case, we welcome him aboard to patch the Leake in the rotation.”