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Mariners Acquire Mike Leake

By Jeff Todd | August 30, 2017 at 10:12am CDT

12:07pm: The Cardinals will send the Mariners around $17MM, Rosenthal tweets.

10:12am: In a surprising development, the Cardinals have dealt righty Mike Leake to the Mariners. Young infielder Rayder Ascanio will go to St. Louis in the swap, with $750K of international bonus pool spending capacity and unannounced cash considerations also heading to Seattle.

Aug 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mike Leake (8) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not yet known how much cash the M’s will take on in the deal or what players may be headed in return. Leake had already cleared revocable waivers, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). That was to be expected. Leake is earning $15MM this year, with about $2.5MM left to go. He remains under contract through 2020, with a $53MM total guarantee — including a $5MM buyout of a 2021 mutual option.

Leake’s contract includes full no-trade protection, so his approval was required for the deal to go through. He has indeed waived the clause, per Nightengale (Twitter link). Notably, Leake has spoken of his desire to be closer to family in Arizona and will now at least get to spend Spring Training there; that motivation and others may have aided his decision.

[RELATED: Updated Mariners & Cardinals Depth Charts]

Since signing on with the Cards before the 2016 season, Leake has shown the durability that earned him the contract, throwing 330 2/3 innings over 56 starts. But he has also managed only a 4.46 cumulative ERA while compiling 6.2 K/9 against 1.8 BB/9. Leake has struggled especially of late, working to an 8.88 ERA in his five starts in August.

Assuming he can get back on track, Leake will help steady a Seattle rotation that has faced a steady barrage of injuries. Felix Hernandez, James Paxton, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Drew Smyly are all on the DL, with only the first two expected to return this season. The club has fallen three games off of the AL Wild Card pace, but evidently still feels compelled to push for the postseason this year.

Of course, Leake will also represent a piece of the future picture. The Mariners will almost certainly bid adieu to Iwakuma, Smyly, and Yovani Gallardo over the winter. Erasmo Ramirez and even David Phelps — both acquired earlier this summer — could be rotation options (though the latter has worked from the pen), as could Gonzales. Still the team was clearly in need of at least one more arm to go along with King Felix and the Big Maple.

This is the second notable recent swap between these organizations, who had previously struck a deal that sent young lefty Marco Gonzales to Seattle for outfielder Tyler O’Neill. Leake may well end up bumping Gonzales out of the Mariners rotation for the time being.

Seattle will also pick up some bonus pool money, which St. Louis wasn’t able to utilize anyway following penalties for prior spending. The Cards will also add the 21-year-old Ascanio, a middle infielder out of Venezuela. Ascanio has played at the Class A and High-A levels this year, posting a .217/.295/.355 slash over 450 total plate appearances. That’s not a lot of offense, though he has knocked nine balls over the fence — more than he had over his four prior professional seasons combined.

St. Louis remains in the hunt for both the NL Central crown and a Wild Card spot, though the team enters play today five games out of the postseason picture. While the rotation has had its issues, Luke Weaver has emerged as a quality option since returning to the majors recently, perhaps freeing the club to deal Leake. Another young righty, Jack Flaherty, likely isn’t far behind.

Ultimately, dealing Leake may have more to do with future considerations than the club’s immediate postseason hopes. Moving some of the contract will open some payroll space for 2018 and beyond, though it also takes away one rotation option with Lance Lynn slated to hit the open market and Adam Wainwright entering the final year of his contract. The club does still control Carlos Martinez and Michael Wacha, in addition to the two talented but less-experienced arms noted above, and will hopefully welcome Alex Reyes back into the fold next year. Parting with Leake, though, could conceivably keep the door open for the return of Lynn or lead the team to acquire another rotation piece over the offseason.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter) first said a deal involving Leake was close, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). MLB.com’s Jen Langosch tweeted the detail on the international money.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Newsstand Seattle Mariners St. Louis Cardinals Mike Leake

Braves Designate Enrique Burgos
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AL Notes: Rays, Cash, Alvarez, Falvey, Duffy
View Comments (157)
Post a Comment

157 Comments

  1. STLCards33

    8 years ago

    I thought he had a full no trade?

    1
    Reply
    • BDD

      8 years ago

      He hasn’t been in the league 10 years.

      Reply
      • timyanks

        8 years ago

        doesn’t matter, if he gets it in contract

        2
        Reply
      • sidewinder11

        8 years ago

        Doesn’t matter. He and the Cardinals agreed to a full no trade clause when he signed with them before the 2016 season.

        2
        Reply
        • RedFeather

          8 years ago

          Must have told him he will be in the pin if he didnt waive it..

          Reply
        • KiahFJ

          8 years ago

          He waived the clause for the trade.

          2
          Reply
    • redsfan48

      8 years ago

      It even says that in the article. But obviously he waived his no-trade if a deal happened

      2
      Reply
      • STLCards33

        8 years ago

        I replied to this as soon as it broke. Before they announced where he was even going. I know it might be a surprise but I know how to read

        3
        Reply
        • EndinStealth

          8 years ago

          I get a kick out of ppl that jump on ppl saying it’s in the article. Umm brainless these articles update. Not all information is there at the start.

          2
          Reply
    • Ry.the.Stunner

      8 years ago

      Just because he has a no-trade clause doesn’t mean he can’t be traded, it just means they have to get his consent, which he obviously gave.

      5
      Reply
    • Outlaws12

      8 years ago

      He did. It says he waived it

      Reply
    • Kane U.

      8 years ago

      He waived it.

      Reply
    • brodafett

      8 years ago

      As it said he waived the no trade clause

      Reply
  2. andrew.jones100@icloud.com

    8 years ago

    Go to the angels!!

    Reply
  3. bronxbombers

    8 years ago

    Astros

    2
    Reply
  4. dodgers2017

    8 years ago

    dodgers

    Reply
    • Slipknot37

      8 years ago

      Could be. But it’s seems the Dodgers would need no starting pitching considering their depth. Bet it’s the Yankees or the maybe even the brewers (although who knows with them)

      Reply
  5. Brixton

    8 years ago

    Angels, Phillies, Braves, Yankees, Reds, Twins, D’Backs… this could be fun

    Reply
    • sidewinder11

      8 years ago

      DBacks don’t make much sense, especially financially. Their rotation has been pretty solid recently so there’s no real need to make this trade from their perspective. Leake is an Arizona native so it’d be a nice story but that’s about it.

      Reply
  6. baseball10

    8 years ago

    Wow cant believe this. Cards may have to put a prospect or two in the deal to make this happen. Huge to get out of this contract if you’re a cards fan

    1
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      8 years ago

      Can we get Tyler O’Neil back?

      Reply
      • xfloydsterx

        8 years ago

        Yeah hopefully huh

        Reply
    • User 4245925809

      8 years ago

      Taking the contract alone is more than enough. 52m over the next 3y is way too much for a bad 5th starter, then that’s a NL 5th starter at that.

      3
      Reply
      • chesteraarthur

        8 years ago

        bad 5th starters don’t put up 2-2.5 fwar seasons.

        1
        Reply
  7. prich

    8 years ago

    I would assume he goes to a non contender because the Cards just want to dump contract and may be willing to give up prospect if the team recieving him pays the contract.

    1
    Reply
  8. Msvhs79

    8 years ago

    I’m not sure this is the time to be trading him after his recent slump! I guess we will see what they get in return! Maybe saving some money to sign Lynn!

    Reply
    • CompanyAssassin

      8 years ago

      All the more reason to keep Lynn.

      1
      Reply
  9. bronxbombers

    8 years ago

    Twins

    Reply
  10. Timothy Souza

    8 years ago

    Red Sox

    Reply
    • gray

      8 years ago

      Astros

      Reply
  11. Brixton

    8 years ago

    Leake for Clay Buchholz, Dylan Cozens,

    Reply
    • prich

      8 years ago

      That makes no sense at all. For what Leake is being paid itd be more like Leake+Cardinal Prospect for a PTBNL. Why would you even want Mike Leake. I rather just get Jerome Williams back.

      Reply
      • donniebaseball

        8 years ago

        The cards are not going to add in a prospect in order to dump one of their own players. The PR on that would be horrible.

        Teams just don’t make those types of trades.

        Reply
        • Stro-Show

          8 years ago

          Pirates did it with liriano

          Reply
        • Brixton

          8 years ago

          teams have done that actually quite a bit recently.
          Liriano to the Blue Jays
          Arroyo to the Braves
          The Aaron Hill/Isan Diaz deal

          2
          Reply
        • donniebaseball

          8 years ago

          I’ll be darn.

          Reply
      • huts04

        8 years ago

        while he has not been great, league average starting pitching and consistent innings is not as easy to come by as people think. He is being paid around market value for what he does.

        3
        Reply
    • pukelit

      8 years ago

      That’s a terrible deal for both teams but especially the Phillies, no way the cards get a prospect for leake

      Reply
      • Brixton

        8 years ago

        Cozens is a crappy prospect, and Leake is a #4 making #4 money at this point. The FA market for mid tier starters is terrible this off season, and the Phillies NEEEEEED SP help. You’re basically getting Leake a 3/48M, so Scott Kazmir money..

        1
        Reply
  12. gray

    8 years ago

    As a Cards fan, I’ll be glad to see him go. I never liked the signing in the first place.

    2
    Reply
    • CompanyAssassin

      8 years ago

      Agreed big time.

      3
      Reply
      • Wainofan

        8 years ago

        I second (third?) that!

        Reply
    • kbarr888

      8 years ago

      The signing was a product of Mo’s “Knee-jerk reaction” to losing out on Price…….desperate move…..wrong move.

      He’s lucky to have found a taker, at this point….if he doesn’t include the $17 Million….that deal falls apart.

      Reply
  13. mstrchef13

    8 years ago

    As an O’s fan, I’d be glad to take him and his contract. Jimenez and Tillman come off the books at the end of the year and Leake is made for a team with a quality defense behind him. If we take his full contract, perhaps we can get him for a useful prospect like DJ Stewart or Cedric Mullins.

    Reply
    • jdgoat

      8 years ago

      Their outfield defense is pretty awful though. They’re probably better off going for ground all pitchers.

      Reply
      • aff10

        8 years ago

        Leake’s ground – ball rates are routinely north of 50%. He is a GB pitcher

        Reply
        • Jbigz12

          8 years ago

          O’s infield defense is pretty good….

          Reply
        • jdgoat

          8 years ago

          Oh i didn’t know that. I guess he would’ve been a good fit then lol

          Reply
        • aff10

          8 years ago

          All good lol. Moot point now anyways

          Reply
  14. ryeandi

    8 years ago

    Yankees make the most sense to me.

    Reply
  15. Brixton

    8 years ago

    ah, Dipoto got bored again. How is he gonna get fleeced this time

    1
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      8 years ago

      Probably sending Nick Neidert and more.

      Reply
  16. partyatnapolis

    8 years ago

    shoulda known it was seattle. dipoto always having to make deals lol

    Reply
  17. archmadness

    8 years ago

    They Traded him to the Mariners,

    Reply
  18. KCelts

    8 years ago

    Leake is a good dude, but he just didn’t have it in the last several starts he has had. That salary made it an easy decision for the Cards to trade him, regardless of standings.

    Reply
  19. SD Speak For Myself

    8 years ago

    Jeff: who,what,where,when,why…your article is missing several “W”. Trading with who? For what? Or is this truly a rumor?

    Reply
    • Brixton

      8 years ago

      Where is clearly in the title, and the why is because the Mariners want pitching. The when is now, what is a trade, and the for who hasnt come out yet.

      7
      Reply
      • alexgordonbeckham

        8 years ago

        Reading is hard for some apparently

        1
        Reply
    • JT19

      8 years ago

      Well it’s not like he is part of the call happening between the two front offices, he’s just reporting what he is hearing. This happens with almost every other trade until both teams officially report/confirm it.

      3
      Reply
    • stollcm

      8 years ago

      Dude chill out. You have to realize they post something as soon as they can and then update that same article as the information comes out. If they waited to post an article until they had all the info….it wouldn’t quite be news anymore…. Relax and wait for the updates just like I did…

      4
      Reply
    • JoePauer

      8 years ago

      Let the man work, I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s doing here.

      1
      Reply
  20. Cardinals-fan

    8 years ago

    Cards getting Kyle Seager back.

    1
    Reply
    • archmadness

      8 years ago

      where did you see this or are you just hoping?

      Reply
      • 24TheKid

        8 years ago

        Yea it’s official. Mariners trade homegrown fan favorite for expensive aging starting pitcher that is having a down year.

        6
        Reply
        • rogerwilco

          8 years ago

          Lol negative. Cardinals include cash and international bonus slot money to get INF Rayder Ascanio (who?). This is according to Ken Rosenthal’s Twitter.
          Dumping Leake makes sense but the addition of cash and slot money for an unknown prospect is a little mind boggling.

          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          8 years ago

          Cardinals got the spot money.

          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          8 years ago

          Whoops I miss read

          Reply
  21. JT19

    8 years ago

    Are there any other Jack Z prospects left in the system? Seems that Dipoto is cleaning house with prospects drafted by the old front office.

    2
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      8 years ago

      Nick Neidert. We gave up our old number two prospect to Cards for a starter that was no good, so knowing Jerry, he will do it again.

      Reply
      • BuddyBoy

        8 years ago

        Clueless as usual…

        Reply
        • 24TheKid

          8 years ago

          Ha ha ha it was a joke but ok.

          Reply
  22. Jack0207

    8 years ago

    Can’t believe as bad as Leake looked that the Cardinals trade him and get out from under that contract. With this move they will have extra money to sign Lance Lynn

    Reply
  23. Dotnet22

    8 years ago

    Shedding salary for a possible acquisition of Stanton I hope.

    Reply
    • alexgordonbeckham

      8 years ago

      This is what I’m thinking.

      Reply
      • EndinStealth

        8 years ago

        Keep wishing. Stanton already stated he would ONLY waive his no trade clause to go to a coast team.

        Reply
        • Lanidrac

          8 years ago

          I wouldn’t want him anyway. His backloaded contract is almost as crazy as Pujols’s.

          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          8 years ago

          I agree ppl are over reacting to Stanton finally having a healthy season. He will not be worth the contract in a few years.

          Reply
  24. Cardinals-fan

    8 years ago

    Cards beat writer dereck goold reported it

    Reply
    • fstop13

      8 years ago

      No he didn’t

      Reply
  25. DD martin

    8 years ago

    Ugh I don’t think this is a trade that is going to work out for the M’s as Leake has not been very good overall. The contract added to those they have is going to tie them up for the next several years.

    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      8 years ago

      He’s still better than most of what they have.

      Reply
  26. JT19

    8 years ago

    On the one hand, it makes almost no sense for the Mariners to make this trade considering they’re all but out of the playoff race. On the other hand, Leake has to be better than the mess that is the Mariners’ current starting rotation and provides a better innings eater than Gallardo.

    Reply
    • Jbigz12

      8 years ago

      It’s not a one year deal for Leake, you’re getting a long term rotation option. There’s not much in Seattle right now. Miranda has pitched a full run above his FIP since coming up, don’t think he’s a long term option. Only gives you Felix, Pax, Erasmo Ramirez or Ariel Miranda maybe Iwakuma if they pick up his option. Not a lot of strong options there.

      1
      Reply
  27. 24TheKid

    8 years ago

    Everytime I open this article I see the name Tyler O’Neil in bold. My hopes get up that we someone got him back. But Jerry would never do that.

    Reply
  28. Francys01

    8 years ago

    I am glad that the Cardinals traded Leake, he was not pitching well last year and this year also and in his last three starts he was terrible. I wanted him to get traded for the Cardinals to consider signing Lance Lynn. However, good luck Mike Leake in your new team.

    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      8 years ago

      He was good in his last start. Overall, he has a decent 4.21 ERA and 1.33 WHIP this year.

      Reply
  29. stollcm

    8 years ago

    I would say this is almost more about clearing a 40 man spot than anything. Any salary relief is just gravy I would think.

    1
    Reply
  30. LA Sam

    8 years ago

    Wow, Cards quitters these days….BUT how did u find a sucker to jump at pickin-up that contract….? In other news….dwntn Seattle businesses are actively hiring Loss Prevention Associates immediately…..

    1
    Reply
    • CompanyAssassin

      8 years ago

      Cardinals are improved without him. Leaves Weaver in the rotation regardless, plus may bring up Flaherty to fill in.

      Reply
    • 24TheKid

      8 years ago

      If you need to find a sucker to make a great trade with, just call trader Jerry.

      Reply
      • BuddyBoy

        8 years ago

        Yeah…because Rayder Ascanio was such a big loss. Good lord, do you even follow the Mariners?? From what I heard the deal will end up at about $12M AAV for 3yrs plus we get the extra international pool money which could be big moving forward. We certainly needed a mid rotation guy for the coming seasons as well and $12M AAV is not at all out of the market for that.

        3
        Reply
        • 24TheKid

          8 years ago

          Trumbo, Gohara, Mallex Smith, Littel, Yarbrough, Jackson, Carson Smith, Tyler O’Neil. Add all of those trades together and currently out of that the only ones on the major league roster are James Pazos and Marco Gonzalez and you can kind of count Miranda.

          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          8 years ago

          That’s a pretty unimpressive group of players you’ve traded away for the most part. Smyly got hurt, but that’s no fault of Dipoto. Idk if I’d lump together Gohara and Smith since you traded one for the other. You did get Dyson for Karns, which worked out. The jury is still out on Segura and Haniger for Walker and Marte. Considering the price of pitching right now and Segura’s deal after this year, that one might not look so hot in a year or two.. Gonzales for Oneill will never make any sense, he definitely sold real low there. Although I’m not sure Oneill is going to make it with that horrible plate discipline.

          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          8 years ago

          2 top 100 prospects, last years hoemrun leader, Littel is dominating this year, Carson Smith was a young elite reliever before he got hurt. And Smyly already had injury concerns, was I expecting TJ, no, but an injury isn’t that surprising.

          1
          Reply
        • BuddyBoy

          8 years ago

          Trumbo was moved to go with a platoon that was better on paper. Turned out Trumbo had a monster 1st half and then sucked the rest of the way while Lind didn’t produce as he had in his career. Trumbo is back to being terrible this year.

          Gohara I will agree with, I was worried when we traded him and he’s done nothing to change that. However, he was part of the deal to get Mallex Smith whom we needed to acquire Smyly. It was unfortunate that Smyly got hurt but the process was fine. By the way, Mallex Smith was on the roster for like 30 minutes and has spent half the year in AAA (still there now) and is a mediocre slap hitter at best. Just to give you some context. Not to mention we still have Shae Simmons who should be in the bullpen fairly soon at the ML level.

          Zach Littell was an A ball pitcher that has some ability but was not considered even a Top 10 talent in a weaker minor league system. In return for him, we got a LH ML reliever for our bullpen in Pazos with six years control. That was a young player for young player deal that makes sense now.

          Alex Jackson was a failing prospect from the previous regime that was traded for young pitchers Povse and Whalen, The Braves moved him back to catcher, where is poor defensively. Currently he has a sub .700 OPS at AA after having some success in his FOURTH run at A ball.

          Carson Smith was traded for a needed starter before 2016. He barely pitched in 2016 due to injury. In total, Carson Smith has pitched a total of 10.1 innings at all levels the past two years. The piece acquired in deal, Miley, was flipped for young player Ariel Miranda who has been worth 2.5 WAR in the year with the club.

          Ryan Yarbrough is a AAA depth piece that is buried in the Braves organization. He may have some ability to pitch in the majors as a backend starter but again, he was part of the Smyly deal that unfortunately didn’t work out due to injury.

          Tyler O’Neill is ridiculously overrated. He has a .228/.285 line since going to Memphis and is running a 31% K rate. The guy is at best a poor hitting, limited walking, high strikeout outfielder with some homerun power at the ML level. Think an outfield version of Mike Zunino.

          1
          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          8 years ago

          And you’d still rather have Marco Gonzalez and James Pazos rather than all of them?

          Reply
        • Johnny

          8 years ago

          The one that really hurts right now is Chris Taylor, who the M’s gave away for nothing

          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          8 years ago

          I’m not sure Oneill is severely overrated. He’s no longer a top 100 prospect and is graded as a 50FV. Anyone who has power like him is going to at least be intriguing. He runs pretty well too, it’s not hard to see why he is interesting. His plate discipline is a black hole if he doesn’t fix it but he is only 22 years old in AAA. He’s on the cards now and they have no shortage of outfielders so hopefully he gets plenty of time in the minors to work it out. He might never fix it, but if he does you really have something. Hasn’t looked good thus far though.

          1
          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          8 years ago

          Chris Taylor was a nothing prospect. Sometimes you just have to throw your hands up and say that’s baseball. He’s never shown power like this. His Babip is sitting at a cool 391 and he’s K’ing 25% of the time so he’s not quite as good as advertised. Still a good player, but playing a good bit over his head right now.

          1
          Reply
        • BuddyBoy

          8 years ago

          Yes, I’d rather have Pazos than an A ball pitcher with limited upside…which was the deal at the time it was made. Time will tell if Littell ends up being a legit ML pitcher or not.

          I question the O’Neill deal only from the perspective that I would have thought that he could have netted more than Gonzalez. I do not believe that O’Neill is anything more than what I said he is. A low average, low walk, high K guy with some homerun pop that he will struggle to get to due to the K rate issue.

          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          8 years ago

          I wasn’t just asking about Littel and O’Neil. All of those guys we have traded have resulted in James Pazos and Marco Gonzalez.

          Reply
  31. cardfan2011

    8 years ago

    This was a deal I never understood that Mo gave him a few years back. Regardless, I wish him well with the M’s. Now, hopefully Flaherty takes his spot in the rotation

    1
    Reply
    • Dotnet22

      8 years ago

      Wainwright will take his spot off the DL and Weaver will stay up

      Reply
      • cardfan2011

        8 years ago

        Oh right, I forgot about Waino my bad

        Reply
    • jdgoat

      8 years ago

      I was just reading the “reactions to the Mike Leake signing” page and your comment was first, saying you were pleased by this signing.

      3
      Reply
      • cardfan2011

        8 years ago

        Yeah but I was an idiot back then

        4
        Reply
      • cardfan2011

        8 years ago

        Also, I was happy to see Mo finally made a deal, so any deal he made I would have been pleased with

        Reply
        • jdgoat

          8 years ago

          I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t think it was that bad of a deal. It was probably right around market value

          1
          Reply
        • aff10

          8 years ago

          Agreed, I don’t think average pitchers should be getting $80M while comparable position players get like $55M, but this is the market value. Worked a lot better than Chen and probably Kennedy

          1
          Reply
  32. Caught Looking

    8 years ago

    He approved to be trade to be closer to his family in Arizona? Seattle is about 85 miles closer to Phoenix than St. Louis. And the Cardinals are at least guaranteed to come to Phoenix every year.

    2
    Reply
    • fstop13

      8 years ago

      Spring Training

      1
      Reply
    • JFactor

      8 years ago

      Spring training

      Reply
  33. lesterdnightfly

    8 years ago

    Don’t count on a quick bounceback from Leake. It has been widely reported in the St Louis press that he suffers from stamina problems from a recent bout of shingles that still affects him.
    Of course, Mo and Matheny’s solution to Leake’s fatigue was to throw him out there every five days and leave him in too long while he’s gotten shelled…..”What DL?”
    Another bad signing/extension by Mozeliak, who got rewarded for the Cards’ roster decline with a fat promotion and extension.

    2
    Reply
    • aff10

      8 years ago

      Was it really that bad a signing? They got two years of an average pitcher for average pitcher money, and then dumped off most of the back – end to somebody else. Certainly won’t go down as one of Mozeliak’s best moves ever, but it was ok I think

      2
      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        8 years ago

        Well, I mostly agree with this, except it was one disappointing season and one average season the Cards got out of him.

        Reply
    • Lanidrac

      8 years ago

      What roster decline? Sure, Leake’s deal wasn’t that great, but they managed to dump him anyway. While Piscotty’s extension doesn’t look that great in Year One, neither did Wong’s, yet he’s come back to post a huge breakout season in Year 2 of his deal. Martinez’s extension is an absolute bargain. Fowler’s deal looks pretty good so far. They fleeced the Padres with the Gyorko trade. They actually managed to dump Jaime Garcia and his entire 2017 salary plus get real prospects in return. The young guys from AAA have come up and produced very well. They’d probably be leading the division if they just had a decent bullpen this year. Overall, Mozeliak has had a lot more hits than misses recently.

      Reply
  34. Lou Klimchock

    8 years ago

    “Notably, Leake has spoken of his desire to be closer to family in Arizona; that motivation and others may have aided his decision.” FYI, Seattle is actually further from AZ than St. Louis is. If you consider spring training, however, that comment might make sense.

    1
    Reply
    • paddyo furnichuh

      8 years ago

      You mean “farther,” not further. Glass house ‘n all.

      1
      Reply
      • Lou Klimchock

        8 years ago

        Yes. Thank you.

        Reply
  35. aff10

    8 years ago

    A little bit of a curious fit, given their effort to find fly-ball pitchers to fit their park/ super defensive outfield, but he’s better than their other pitchers, so sure. If St. Louis pays down like $10M or so, it seems fine

    Reply
  36. aff10

    8 years ago

    The fifth starter thing I don’t really get. Career 102 ERA-, 104 FIP-. Even this year, he’s been awful recently, but average overall. An average MLB SP isn’t a 5th starter. He’s fine, unexciting, but fine

    4
    Reply
    • chesteraarthur

      8 years ago

      People have a really poor idea of what a 5th starter is. Calling him a bad 5th starter, for example, just shows how out of touch some people are with the reality of what a 5th starter looks like.

      7
      Reply
    • calikid13

      8 years ago

      He’s the 52nd most valuable SP since the start of the 2016 season…

      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        8 years ago

        So with 30 teams, that makes him more of a #3 or high #4 starter (once you factor in all the really good pitchers that have simply had a really long DL stint sometime in the last two years).

        2
        Reply
      • chesteraarthur

        8 years ago

        “He’s the 52nd most valuable SP since the start of the 2016 season…”

        Is this supposed to be an argument in support of classifying him as a #5 sp? If it is, you are just reinforcing the points you are trying to argue against.

        Reply
  37. BuddyBoy

    8 years ago

    O’Neill is going to be a replacement level outfielder at the ML level. He going to be low walk, high strikeout guy with some power. Although I believe we could have gotten more the Marco Gonzalez for him, I really don’t have much issue with trading him. Guys with high K rates in the minors rarely work out. Even Aaron Judge has had his K rate catch up to him and he was a way better prospect than TO.

    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      8 years ago

      We still got nothing in return for our 2nd ranked prospect.

      Reply
      • whereslou

        8 years ago

        Take out who we got for O’Neill who would you like him to replace in the OF right now? Our best prospect will be coming up soon so you take Dyson out and who would you have him replace? Gamel will probably be the 4th.

        As for getting more for him you have 0 clue how much he could get for him. He could have been shopping him for awhile with no takers. They see the holes in his swing and know it will only get worse in the majors. As for being the #2 prospect that could show more how weak our system is more than how good the player is. Really the player I hated seeing going the most was Gohara I think he has the most upside of all the players he has traded.

        1
        Reply
        • 24TheKid

          8 years ago

          I would replace either Gamel or Haniger who haven’t hit at all since the all star break with O’Neil.

          Reply
        • BuddyBoy

          8 years ago

          If you really believe that, you’ve lost your mind!

          The.400+ BABIP that Gamel ran for several months.was unsustainable, and the 50pts below league average on BABIP he is running the past month is unlikely to stay too. What you have seen is a normalization of his BABIP over the larger sample size and thus his average and numbers are where you would typically expect to see them.

          I think most can see that the injury greatly affected the season Haniger is having. Start and stop and start and stop makes it hard to get into any kind of groove.

          Also, if you think that Tyler O’Neill would be better than those guys, you’ve lost your mind. Since the trade he is running a .228/.285 line with a 31% K rate at AAA Memphis. Yes, he still hits for power but that skillset will NOT succeed at the major league level. In fact, I’d argue that he be lucky to hit .200 with a 40% K rate right now at the majors.

          1
          Reply
        • whereslou

          8 years ago

          Gamel maybe but there is no way you replace Haniger with him. He has had a couple fluke injuries the biggest one getting hit square in the face. It takes time for guys to comeback from that. I would say a healthy Haniger is more like his start of the season that was close to ROY type stuff. Gamel can play all 3 spots out there so he is a better fit as a 4th OFer. I don’t think losing O’Neill is that big of a deal. I haven’t looked but I would guess they have hit as well as O’Neill in that time maybe not the HRs but the other metrics and that is MLB pitching not minors.

          1
          Reply
      • BuddyBoy

        8 years ago

        Our overrated 2nd ranked prospect and only time will tell how things work out.

        Reply
        • whereslou

          8 years ago

          I guess I should have read one more comment because he answered the question about who is hitting better. Against major and minor level pitching.

          1
          Reply
  38. gocincy

    8 years ago

    Bummer that Leake won’t get a chance to hit. He’s a rare pitcher who has a glove and a bat, in addition to his arm. Nice to see a complete ball player in this age of specialization.

    1
    Reply
  39. waldfee

    8 years ago

    Leake… an Arizona State Scum Devil from back in the day when that program still produced major leaguers. Nowadays they don’t even get players drafted anymore. With their current clown of a coach, Tracy Smith, they have fallen on hard times. Couldn’t haven happened to a more deserving bunch of cheaters.

    Reply
  40. Schroeder

    8 years ago

    Cardinals freed up some money, might be able to re-sign Lynn. Would much rather have Lynn than Leake.

    Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      8 years ago

      Yes, they “freed up” $17 million going to Seattle with Leake.

      1
      Reply
      • Wainofan

        8 years ago

        Owed him 52 million so 52 million -17 million would equal 35 million saved. They needed the rotation spot for Lynn more than the money though. Next years starting 5 competition could be Martinez, Reyes, weaver, waino, wacha, Lynn, flaherty . I’ll take that

        Reply
        • Lanidrac

          8 years ago

          I still doubt they go after Lynn. The money is better used for that big bat they want to get this offseason. I’d feel comfortable going into next season with a rotation of Martinez, Wacha, Wainwright, and Weaver, Reyes, and Flaherty fighting for the last two spots.

          Reply
  41. Phillies2017

    8 years ago

    I like it foe both teams. Gives the Mariners some relative stability in the rotation and gives st. Louis salary relief.

    2
    Reply
  42. pro4pro32goathletics

    8 years ago

    I wonder how often does a solid MLB player from a winning team (66-65) gets traded to a team with a losing record (66-67) for a prospect. I bet not often.

    1
    Reply
  43. bleacherbum

    8 years ago

    Somebody get Dipoto a fidget spinner. Guy can’t go a week without shaking up the roster somehow. Holy cow.

    1
    Reply
    • CubsRebsSaints

      8 years ago

      Like

      Reply
  44. chetmanley

    8 years ago

    The Mariners stole Mike Leake from the Cardinals the same way Mike Leake stole six tee-shirts from Macy’s.

    1
    Reply
    • RedFeather

      8 years ago

      The Cardinals defiantly got the better end of this trade.

      Reply
      • BuddyBoy

        8 years ago

        How so? All they got was salary relief…

        1
        Reply
      • lesterdnightfly

        8 years ago

        Why are they so defiant?

        1
        Reply
        • RedFeather

          8 years ago

          Because they didn’t cooperate during negotiations.. they just said take him.. lol Autocorrect is a blessing.

          Reply
      • chesteraarthur

        8 years ago

        The mariners gave up a fringey prospect and are getting Leake at about 13m/yr for 3 years +750k international money. Stop being a homer.

        2
        Reply
  45. baseball1005

    8 years ago

    Going to be a great asset for the Mariners playoff push

    Reply
  46. acarneglia

    8 years ago

    Dealin Dipoto back at it

    Reply
  47. Yamsi12

    8 years ago

    Dipoto getting desperate.

    Reply
  48. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    8 years ago

    Great deal for both teams.

    Cards get out from under a terrible contract.

    Meanwhile, the Mariners pitching is so bad, it looks like a decent contract to them.

    Reply
  49. steviewah

    8 years ago

    It appears to be an interesting transition period for the Cards! Big deals? Little deals? Aggressive? I’m looking forward to what’s in the cards for the near future.

    1
    Reply
  50. seth3120

    8 years ago

    Of the starting pitchers available on the market when the Cardinals signed Leaked who would have been a better signing? His contract is the cost of an average free agent starter and he’s lived up to that deal unlike many others. They had to have a starter and didn’t want a deal that would kill them like those so called front end starters have to the teams that signed them. They made the right move signing him and now that they have better options coming through the system they did the right thing trading him. The Mariners are in the same spot the cardinals were they need starting pitching desperately and don’t want to pay top dollar for guys that will be on the decline very soon if not already

    3
    Reply
    • calikid13

      8 years ago

      I like you.
      You have common sense.

      1
      Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      8 years ago

      Well said Seth. Very well said.

      Reply

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