It is being reported that the Nationals are trying to bring Mike Leake to DC, who has played for Dusty Baker in Cincinnati.
With Jordan Zimmermann now in Detroit and Doug Fister leaving via free agency, the Washington Nationals do have some holes in their rotation both in the present and possibly the future if Stephen Strasburg leaves for free agency next offseason. However, could they look to fill that void with one of the top pitchers still on the market?
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network, the Nats are one of a few teams that are trying to sign right-handed starter Mike Leake. Leake pitched for the Reds and Giants in 2015:
Sources: #Nationals making push for free-agent RHP Mike Leake. Other clubs also aggressive. Leake played for Dusty Baker with #Reds.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2015
More from District on Deck
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
This past season, Leake went 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts (two complete games). The 28-year-old right-hander was traded from the Reds to the Giants before the July trade deadline, but he went on the disabled list in early August because of a strained left hamstring.
While he went 2-5 with San Francisco in nine starts, he did give up three earned runs or fewer in six of those games, including a complete game in his final start of the year against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 30. The one factor that could be pushing the Nationals to a deal for Leake is his experience playing for Dusty Baker.
The Reds drafted Leake with the eighth pick in the 2009 MLB Draft. Leake played four seasons for Baker with Cincinnati (2010-2013), with his best season coming in 2013. During that year, Leake went 14-7 with a 3.37 ERA in 31 starts. He had the third lowest ERA on the team behind Johnny Cueto (current free agent) and Mat Latos. Plus, in that season, eight of his 14 wins were away from Great American Ball Park.
When Leake heads to the mound, he has five pitches in his arsenal. He has a fastball with an average velocity of 90 miles per hour (according to Fangraphs), a cutter, curveball, slider, and changeup. The one issue Leake has is he doesn’t get many swings and misses. His highest strikeout per nine innings total in a single season was 6.9 back in 2014. Last season, he had 5.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
More from Nationals Rumors
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
- Washington Nationals: Is Seth Lugo Still an Option?
- Washington Nationals Re-Sign RHP Erasmo Ramirez
- Washington Nationals Sign RHP Trevor Williams
- Washington Nationals Sign OF Stone Garrett
The Nats aren’t the only team interested in Leake. The Diamondbacks were highly interested, but they went out and got Shelby Miller from the Braves last night. Rosenthal also noted a couple of days ago that the Cardinals and Giants are possible teams who could sign Leake:
Sources: #STLCards on Leake, joining #SFGiants, others. Preference is to be in west. Would take less to play for #DBacks and return to AZ.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
Next: Nats Lose Zobrist Sweepstakes To Cubs
Even though Tanner Roark and Joe Ross look to be the frontrunners to start the 2016 rotation with the Nats, this is a situation worth monitoring to see if the Washington Nationals could sign another veteran starter without having to give up the 17th pick in this year’s draft.
Update: 2:20 PM ET: According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and MLB Network, the Nationals have made an offer to Leake and are trying to get a deal done:
nats have made mike leake an offer and are pushing for a deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2015