With the free-agent pitching crop thinning out at the top, a valuable second-tier starter such as Mike Leake may see his market pick up heading into the winter meetings.
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D-Backs Reportedly Offered Leake
Friday, Dec. 4
Scout.com's Max Wildstein reported Leake was offered a five-year contract, but it is unknown if that deal remains on the table after the signing of Zack Greinke. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the team is still interested in Leake, despite their suddenly revamped rotation.
According to Rosenthal, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa met with Leake on Thursday.
The Diamondbacks have been an unusual team over the last 12 months. They essentially sold one of their top pitching prospects, Touki Toussaint, to Atlanta in June when the Braves agreed to take on Bronson Arroyo's salary.
One reason why Arizona can afford to play in deeper financial waters is a new television deal that will pay the club at least $1.5 billion over 20 years.
Leake has been a solid innings-eater throughout his career, making at least 30 starts covering at least 179 innings in each of the last four seasons. The 28-year-old isn't an overpowering arm who will alter a rotation on his own, but as a No. 2 or No. 3 behind a proven ace, he's a strong investment.
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