Mike Leake is one of several veteran starting pitchers that have been made available in trade discussions ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s deadline, and there are multiple teams interested in adding him.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers have engaged in trade conversations with the Seattle Mariners surrounding Leake.
#Brewers one of teams on #Mariners’ Mike Leake, sources tell The Athletic. #Rangers also have been in mix. Trade possible, even after Leake pitched last night. Leake holds full no-trade, but told reporters he was willing to waive it for deal that did not come to fruition – yet.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
The Mariners appear motivated to move Leake, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on Tuesday that they are willing to eat a significant portion of the 31-year-old’s remaining salary to help facilitate a deal.
The #Mariners are telling teams they will eat large amount of Mike Leake's remaining salary to facilitate a trade. He's earning $16 million this year, $15M in 2020, and has an $18M option or $5M buyout in 2021. The #STLCards are paying $5M of his contract this year, and $4M next.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2019
Leake is 9-8 with a 4.40 ERA this season and has a career ERA of 4.05 and WHIP of 1.28. He has thrown 175 innings or more in every season since 2012 and is on pace to surpass that mark again this year, so he would be a nice innings-eater down the stretch for a contending team.
