Free agent starter Mike Leake is willing to take “significantly less to play at home in Phoenix,” Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. However, Diamondbacks COO Tony La Rosa says it is “probably unlikely” that the club will sign the right-hander. The D-Backs were reportedly interested in Leake earlier this offseason.
The Diamondbacks have already made two big pitching acquisitions. They signed Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million contract last week. Then, on Tuesday, the D-Backs sent outfielder Ender Inciarte, 2015 number one overall draft pick Dansby Swanson, and pitching prospect Aaron Blair to the Braves for starter Shelby Miller.
The Nationals also had interest in Leake but their interest reportedly cooled last week. The Giants are the only other team with reported interest, but that should pick up as more options fall off the board.
Leake, 28, posted a combined 3.70 ERA with a 119/49 K/BB ratio over 192 innings between the Reds and Giants this past season.