Arizona Diamondbacks Still Talking to Mike Leake
By Thomas Lynch
The Arizona Diamondbacks are still talking to free agent pitcher Mike Leake.
If you thought the Arizona Diamondbacks were about to pick up their toys and go home, you were wrong. It turns out the D-backs are still a contender for free agent pitcher Mike Leake. Despite signing Zack Greinke and trading for Shelby Miller, it appears that management is not content to sit on their laurels.
Leake to #DBacks still possible, per sources. Willing to take much less to play at home in AZ. Latest attempt noted by @SteveGilbertMLB.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
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Despite the outlay for Greinke, Arizona is still under $100 million dollars in payroll for 2016. Leake will cost somewhere between $14 and $17 million dollars per year and with the amount of young players under club control for the next three or four seasons, the D-backs could conceivably get a deal done with the right-handed Leake. However, should be the route the team should take?
At some point, you would like an extension done for A.J. Pollock to at least eat up one or two of his free agent seasons. Same for Patrick Corbin who will become a free agent at the same time Pollock does. There is also the matter of Greinke’s $34.33 million dollar per year salary for the next six campaigns. Is it really worth it to sink extra money into Leake? Plenty of in-house options exist, be it Archie Bradley bouncing back from a lost 2015 season, an improvement by Rubby De La Rosa or a return to the rotation of Daniel Hudson. Leake might be the slightly better option in 2016 but not so much in the years to come. With Miller and Greinke in the fold, I would like the Snakes to sit this one out.
How about news regarding a recently-departed Diamondback?
Heard this morning the Braves were open to spinning Ender Inciarte. One exec said he was told 12 teams have called on him since the trade
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 10, 2015
Ender Inciarte was a fan favorite in Arizona and I am not surprised that he remains a hot commodity. However, the reaction to his inclusion in the trade for Miller was mind-boggling. Yes, he is a solid player but he was only the third-best outfielder at Chase Field behind Pollock and David Peralta. Nevertheless, I am surprised the Braves would be willing to trade him. Inciarte is only 25 and has four years of club control remaining. He sounds like a perfect fit for the rebuilding Braves.
One more tidbit:
Sources: #DBacks have spoken again to #Reds about Phillips. Persuading him to waive no-trade, if two sides agree, may be easier now for AZ.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2015
Next: Arizona Diamondbacks: Winter Meetings Day 3
Brandon Phillips to Arizona has been rumored previously with the return being Aaron Hill. Yes, Phillips would be a nice upgrade at second base but he also costs $27 million dollar over the next two seasons. He was solid in 2015, batting .294 with 12 home runs and 70 RBI’s. A change to a winning scenery would help him. However, I would rather Arizona stands pat and tries to sort out a long-term solution at second base with either Chris Owings or Brandon Drury.