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Cardinals sign free-agent righty Leake to 5-year deal
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free-agent right-hander Mike Leake to a five-year, $80 million deal, as first reported by FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday.
Source: #STLCards in agreement with Leake, pending a physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2015
Source: Leake deal with #STLCards is for five years with an option and includes a full no-trade clause.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2015
Minutes after his contract with the Cardinals was announced, Leake was looking ahead to rivalry games against the Chicago Cubs.
"Honestly," he said Tuesday, "I wouldn't mind taking them down."
St. Louis hopes the addition of Leake will boosts its chances to win a fourth consecutive NL Central title.
During his news conference, Leake raised a No. 8 jersey, the number he wore at Arizona State.
"When we make decisions, it is about performance," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "We heard nothing but positives."
Leake described the Cardinals as a "dynasty." Before last season, St. Louis had been to the NL Championship Series or deeper four consecutive years.
"When the offseason is unfolding, different options pop up," Mozeliak said. "When this did, we decided it made a lot of sense. I do think it makes the Cardinals stronger."
Leake gets $12 million next year, $15 million in 2017, $17 million in 2018, $16 million in 2019 and $15 million in 2020. The deal includes an $18 million mutual option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout. Leake also receives a full no-trade provision.
A 28-year-old right-hander, Leake is 64-52 with a 3.88 ERA in six big-league seasons. He was 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA for Cincinnati and San Francisco last season, totaling 30 starts and 192 innings.
Ace Adam Wainwright, who returned late in the season from a torn left Achilles tendon, heads a rotation that includes Carlos Martinez, who was sidelined in September by a shoulder injury but is anticipated to be ready for spring training. Jaime Garcia and Michael Wacha also are expected to start, and lefties Marco Gonzales, Tyler Lyons and Tim Cooney could earn rotation spots.
"I think we can be the best," Leake said. "If they name me the No. 5 guy, that's fine with me."
St. Louis failed in efforts earlier this osseason to retain right fielder Jason Heyward and add left-handed ace David Price.
Mozeliak said talks with Leake began about a week and a half ago. Leake had put a priority on Arizona, where he lives, but the Diamondbacks signed Zack Greinke and acquired Shelby Miller from Atlanta.
"Honestly, once Arizona got out of the picture I was open to whatever team I felt fit my needs the best," Leake said. "(Arizona) was my No. 1. Coming here has turned into my new No. 1."
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