Headlines

  • Brewers To Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.
  • Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez
  • No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021
  • Out Of Options 2021
  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Reactions To The Mike Leake Deal

By Zach Links | December 24, 2015 at 1:17pm CDT

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.
Share 15 Retweet 12 Send via email0

Mike Leake St. Louis Cardinals

Mets Rule Out Yoenis Cespedes
Main
Astros To Sign Cuban Pitcher Carlos Sierra
13 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. cardfan2011

    5 years ago

    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!

    Like
    Reply
  2. Johnny Arroyo

    5 years ago

    “never had an arm injury” if that aint the kiss of death when talking about pitchers!!??

    Like
    Reply
    • FrozenRopes

      5 years ago

      Might as well just put him on the cover of the show and sports illustrated.

      Like
      Reply
  3. birch696969

    5 years ago

    Just think, the Cardinals have 3 draft choices out of the top 40 picks next June. Wow what a management!!!!!

    Like
    Reply
    • TJECK109

      5 years ago

      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.

      Like
      Reply
  4. tom Justus

    5 years ago

    Good signing. Esp a pitcher that hit better than out 2 first basemen Adams and Moss. Maybe Leake can play first too.

    Like
    Reply
  5. JUNWA6

    5 years ago

    That’s nice now we need Cespedes

    Like
    Reply
  6. FrozenRopes

    5 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply
  7. Just Another Fan

    5 years ago

    That math on the “well he doesnt cost a draft pick so the actual value of his deal is less” is wrong.

    Like
    Reply
    • cxcx

      5 years ago

      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.

      Like
      Reply
  8. dtwb93

    5 years ago

    Nice job with the draft pics now please go get a bat. Cargo if the best fit. But others are out there.

    Like
    Reply
    • francys08

      5 years ago

      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.

      Like
      Reply
  9. thedappergent

    5 years ago

    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.”

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Brewers To Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

    Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez

    No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021

    Out Of Options 2021

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Recent

    Diamondbacks Sign Anthony Swarzak

    Brewers To Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

    Surgery Recommended For Framber Valdez

    No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021

    Diamondbacks To Sign Heath Fillmyer

    Minor MLB Transactions: 3/3/21

    Aaron Boone Taking Medical Leave To Receive Pacemaker

    COVID Notes: Locastro, Happ

    Health Notes: Leake, Sox, Rox, Angels

    MLBTR Poll: Expectations For 2021 Mets

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version