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Right-handed starting pitcher Mike Leake agreed to five-year, $80 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. It's the first major addition of the offseason for St. Louis. The Cardinals lost two prominent free agents, outfielder Jason Heyward and right-hander John Lackey, to the Chicago Cubs.
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Leake, 28, was acquired by the San Francisco Giants in late July after spending his first five-plus seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. He was 11-10 combined last season.
The Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers were Leake's top suitors.
St. Louis has been reportedly interested in adding a free agent to boost the middle of the batting order, but general manager John Mozeliak said last week the team's interest in big names -- Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, Mets left field Yeonis Cespedes -- has been overblown.
The Cardinals did bid for left-handed starter David Price, but the Boston Red Sox outbid them on a deal that averages more than $30 million per season.
St. Louis also attempted to retain Heyward, but he took a $184 million contract with an early opt-out clause from the Cubs.
