Cardinals Sign Mike Leake

The Cardinals were looking for some starting pitching after free agent starting pitcher John Lackey left for the Chicago Cubs. And then they found out starting pitcher Lance Lynn would miss the entire 2016 season due to Tommy John surgery. It took awhile to find a starting pitcher, to me that's because of the free agent market and players wanted to see what similar players were getting with other teams. Well, that ended today when the Cardinals signed free agent starting pitcher Mike Leake.

Leake, 28, signs a five-year contract, with an option for a sixth. Leake's contract is worth $80 million, and the option for the sixth year is worth $13 million, so the total could end up being $93 or $94 million. It includes a full no-trade clause and the option is a mutual option. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1st round of the 2009 MLB draft (8th overall), out of Arizona State. He ended up getting an invite to to spring training with the Reds in 2010, and made their team. His MLB debut was against the Chicago Cubs on April 11, 2010, in which he won 3-1, while pitching 6.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 5 strikeouts, 7 walks, and 1 earned run. He stayed with the Reds until July 30, 2015 when he was traded to the San Francisco Giants.

Last season, Leake went 11-10 with an era of 3.70, in 30 starts, with 192.0 innings pitched. His best season was in 2013, when he went 14-7, 31 starts, 192.1 innings, with an era of 3.37. Life time against the Chicago Cubs, Leake is 9-2, with an era of 3.15 with 19 starts. And against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he's 8-3, with an era of 3.01 with 24 starts.

Leake has played six seasons in the MLB over those 6 seasons, his career record is: 64-52, 177 games, 172 starts, 4 complete game, 1 shutout, 3.88 era, 730 strikeouts, 275 walks, 1083.2 innings pitched, and a whip of 1.27.

What do you get in Mike Leake? He's a pitcher who isn't an ace type, but he's a middle of the rotation guy, who can eat innings and pitch about 200 inning. He's only pitched 200 innings once so far in his career, which was in 2014 when he pitched 214.1 innings. To me looking at stats, he reminds me of Jeff Suppan. And Leake can also hit for a pitcher, so what's not to like about him?

Mike Leake's stats at Busch Stadium: 2-2 with an era of 3.19, with 1 complete game in 6 starts.

As of right now the Cardinals rotation looks like it will be: Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha, Mike Leake, and Jaime Garcia, or if need be you could let Leake be the no.2 to take pressure off of Martinez some (Leake was the Reds no.2 starter last season).

Solid pickup for the Cardinals, he was a pitcher I was mainly hoping for on the free agent market. It would be nice if the Cardinals added another bat, but I think their offseason could be complete, unless no one looks good in spring training in the competition for the starting first base job.

Jonathan Broxton Re-signs With Cardinals

Free agent reliever Johnathan Broxton has re-signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Broxton gets a two-year contract, worth $7.5 million. His deal include a full no trade clause. Broxton, 31, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002, in the 2nd round of the MLB draft. He made his MLB debut on July 29, 2005 against the St. Louis Cardinals. His first career strikeout was former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols. He later would become the Dodgers closer full-time in 2009. While, as the Dodgers closer he was selected to the All-Star Game two times, in 2009 and 2010. After leaving the Dodgers he's made stops for the Kansas City Royals (2012), Cincinnati Reds (2012-2014), and the Milwaukee Brewers (2014-2015).

The Cardinals acquired Broxton from the Brewers on July 31, 2015 for prospect outfielder/second baseman Malik Collymore. At the time of the trade, Broxton was 1-2 in 40 games, with an era of 5.89, 37 strikeouts in 36.2 innings. He appeared in 26 games for the Cardinals down the stretch run, he went 3-3 with an era of 2.66, 26 strikeouts, in 23.2 innings. Combined he finished the 2015 season, appearing in 66 games, with a record of 4-5, with an era of 4.62, 63 strikeouts in 60.1 innings.

Broxton has played eight seasons in the MLB over those 11 seasons, his career record is: 39-35, 608 games, 3.23 era, 685 strikeouts, 118 saves, 124 holds, 599.2 innings pitched, and a whip of 1.23.

Broxton isn't what he once was when he was younger, but still can be a reliable bullpen pitcher for late innings. He'll take some of the pressure off of Seth Maness, Kevin Siegrist, and closer Trevor Rosenthal. No one knows yet, what relievers Jordan Walden's status is for the 2016 season. That should be found out in spring training. Walden even can be risky even if he's ready to pitch, because he's coming off of an injury and missed a lot of time. Hopefully, Walden will be ready to role. If he is that helps the Cardinals bullpen having both Walden and Broxton.

Broxton and Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright are both best friends. The Cardinals even could use another bullpen arm. What will the Cardinals next move be? I hope it's Jason Heyward or a starting pitcher.

Cardinals And Padres Swap Jay For Gyorko

On day 2 of the winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres started things off with a trade. The Cardinals dealt centerfielder Jon Jay to the San Diego Padres for infielder Jedd Gyorko and cash considerations. Jay, 30, has been with the Cardinals since 2010. The Cardinals are loaded with outfielders right now, and Jay may not have had enough playing time. In San Diego, Jay gets a fresh start and he can either platoon with Melvin Upton Jr, or slot in a corner role either in leftfield or rightfield. Jay is a like-able player for a team, and tends to be liked by fans. Until this season he, had always been pretty much a .300 hitter for his career.

Jay battled a wrist injury in 2015, which hurt his play. One of the downsides on Jay is that he doesn't have much power, and his arm isn't that great. He'll give 100% if healthy. He's been in the MLB for 6 seasons. Jay's career's stats are: 757 games played, 325 runs, 676 hits, 113 doubles, 14 triples, 29 home runs, 227 rbi's, 43 stolen bases, 185 walks, and a batting average of .287. He'll be a free agent after the season.

The Padres tend to like former Cardinals centerfielders. Over the past seasons the Padres have traded for Ray Lankford, Jim Edmonds, and now Jon Jay.

Who is Jedd Gyorko? What do the Cardinals get in him?

Gyorko, 27, has been with the Padres since 2013. He's been their starting second baseman, even though he can also play shortstop, and third base. He isn't a free agent until at best 2020, he has a $13 million team option or a $1 million buyout. Since 2013 the second baseman who have hit the most home runs in the MLB are: Brian Dozier (69), Robinson Cano (62), Neil Walker (55), and Jedd Gyorko (49).

Gyorko's been in the MLB for 3 seasons. His career's stats are: 364 games played, 133 runs, 309 hits, 58 doubles, 1 triple, 49 home runs, 171 rbi's, 4 stolen bases, 96 walks, and a batting average of .236.

As of right now, it looks like Gyorko will be a super utility player for the Cardinals. The Cardinals seem to have made another by acquiring Gyorko. He can help give Jhonny Peralta rest, and sub for Kolten Wong. And he can even give Matt Carpenter a break, if he needs one. People have been saying the Cardinals need more power and Gyorko adds to that.

Hopefully more moves are to come. Still come holes to fill for the 2016 Cardinals roster.