MLB Rumors: Cardinals join hunt to sign Mike Leake
Mike Leake is quickly rising the most wanted list in MLB free agency and the St. Louis Cardinals are among the teams showing interest.
The St. Louis Cardinals were the distant runner-up in the bidding the land free agent starter David Price, and they’ve also dipped their toes into the markets for Zack Greinke, Jordan Zimmermann and others this winter. However, thus far they’ve come away empty handed.
That isn’t stopping them from continuing to make a push.
The latest name on the Cardinals hit list is right-hander Mike Leake, a pitcher that is likely to come at a significantly lower rate than the Prices, Greinkes, and Zimmermanns of the market. However, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, St. Louis figures to have a little bit of competition in this market as well.
Sources: #STLCards on Leake, joining #SFGiants, others. Preference is to be in west. Would take less to play for #DBacks and return to AZ.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
The 28-year-old right-hander began the season with the Cincinnati Reds and put up a 9-5 record with a 3.56 ERA and a 5.9 K/9 ratio before the trade deadline. The Reds then dealt Leake to the San Francisco Giants, where he promptly finished the season with a 2-5 record and a 4.07 ERA in nine starts for the Giants.
Leake is an interesting arm on the market. His career 6.1 K/9 ratio leaves much to be desired, especially after it dropped to a career-low 5.6 in 2015. His 4.21 FIP also grades a bit high for a large multi-year deal. However, Leake has been solid at inducing ground-balls over the years at a clip of 51.8%.
Going into the winter, many expected Leake to see a similar deal to the extension Rick Porcello signed with the Red Sox in 2015. Like Leake, Porcello doesn’t put up gaudy strike-out numbers and induces ground balls. He received a four year, $82.5 million deal from Boston partially due to his age and his history of good health.
The Cardinals may have a tough time justifying $20 million a season for middling stats, but they find themselves in a tough position this winter. With Lance Lynn missing all of 2016 after Tommy John surgery this winter, Carlos Martinez being shut down at the end of 2015 with a shoulder strain, and John Lackey signing with the Cubs, St. Louis is in need of some rotation help next season.
In a market when need may dictate price, the Cardinals may have to step outside of their comfort zone in order to stay competitive, both in free agency and in the National League Central.