As a handful of the top-name free agents take their time finding a new home, the St. Louis Cardinals were able to snag another arm on Tuesday. St. Louis agreed to a five-year deal with former Red and Giant Mike Leake. The first thing on his mind: Let's take down the Chicago Cubs.
The right-hander immediately talked about looking forward to the rivalry with the Cubs, who he is familiar with from his days in Cincinnati.
The deal does include a mutual option for 2021, along with a full no-trade clause, and is worth $80 million, but could reach $93 million if they include the option year. The 28-year-old has always been fond of the Cardinals' organization, calling them a "dynasty" before last season, and now looks to add to that history.
Leake has a career record of 64-52 with a 3.88 ERA during his six years in the majors. He was traded at the trade deadline last season from Cincinnati to San Francisco, going 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts with both combined.
The Cardinals' stellar rotation took a hit with injuries last season, and this off-season hasn't gone well either, missing out on the likes of David Price and Zack Greinke. Adam Wainwright is returning from an Achilles injury to lead a rotation that includes Carlos Martinez, Jaime Garcia, and Michael Wacha.
Leake returns to the NL Central Division looking for consistency in division play as his ERA hovers around four against all other Central Division teams. He will start frequently in Busch Stadium, where he owns a 1.13 ERA, but that was as a visitor. He hopes the famous Gateway Arch will continue to treat him well as he sports the home whites for the foreseeable future.
The right-hander immediately talked about looking forward to the rivalry with the Cubs, who he is familiar with from his days in Cincinnati.
The deal does include a mutual option for 2021, along with a full no-trade clause, and is worth $80 million, but could reach $93 million if they include the option year. The 28-year-old has always been fond of the Cardinals' organization, calling them a "dynasty" before last season, and now looks to add to that history.
Leake has a career record of 64-52 with a 3.88 ERA during his six years in the majors. He was traded at the trade deadline last season from Cincinnati to San Francisco, going 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts with both combined.
The Cardinals' stellar rotation took a hit with injuries last season, and this off-season hasn't gone well either, missing out on the likes of David Price and Zack Greinke. Adam Wainwright is returning from an Achilles injury to lead a rotation that includes Carlos Martinez, Jaime Garcia, and Michael Wacha.
Leake returns to the NL Central Division looking for consistency in division play as his ERA hovers around four against all other Central Division teams. He will start frequently in Busch Stadium, where he owns a 1.13 ERA, but that was as a visitor. He hopes the famous Gateway Arch will continue to treat him well as he sports the home whites for the foreseeable future.
