Seattle Mariners news had the team trading for starting pitcher Mike Leake on Wednesday (Aug. 30). The move clearly shows that Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is going “all in” on making the postseason this year, but also that the team may be showing some desperation in going after a pitcher no other team wanted. Leake will immediately join the starting rotation for the Mariners and could be a huge improvement for the staff.
Mike Leake had been placed on waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals after experiencing a lot of struggles on the mound during the 2017 MLB season. The Seattle Mariners put in a claim on him, won that claim, and worked out a deal to acquire him from the Cardinals. Now he will report to the Mariners by Friday (Sept. 1) and should pitch over the weekend.
What did the Leake trade cost for the Mariners?
The Seattle Mariners traded infield prospect Rayder Ascanio to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Mike Leake, cash, and international slot money on August 30. The cash will cover a large portion of the salary that Leake is owed on the rest of his contract, giving the Mariners an incentive to make this deal with the Cardinals.
For the Cardinals, this was a way to cut some payroll, while moving in a new direction with an additional prospect to add to the system. Leake had been owed at least $48 million over the next three seasons, with about $2 million still owed for the 2017 MLB season. There is also a mutual option in play for the 2022 season which would earn Leake a $5 million buyout if the Mariners decided to cut ties with the veteran starting pitcher.
How has Leake pitched in his eight seasons?
Over 233 games (228 starts) during his eight-year MLB career, Mike Leake has an 8-0-76 record with a 4.02 ERA and 1.283 WHIP. His best season was in 2015 when he posted a 3.70 ERA and 1.161 WHIP while splitting time between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed him as a free agent in the winter of 2015, giving him a large contract that will pay him $17 million in 2018, $16 million in 2019, and $15 million in 2020.
This Seattle Mariners news has been met with mixed opinions from fans, but it is a bold move by the organization to try to not only compete this season but also in the next few years. Entering play on Wednesday, the Mariners were just three games behind the Minnesota Twins for a Wild Card spot. Mike Leake will immediately become an important part of the starting rotation, possibly serving as a vital piece to the roster down the stretch. The playoff odds for the Seattle Mariners have diminished a bit, but there are still 29 games left to move up the standings.