Dodgers News: Mike Leake Signs With Cardinals

The constant refrain on as we trudge through one of the weirdest and slowest-developing offseasons in recent memory has been: patience. Eventually, they’re going to do something.

Then, another free agent target is signed and you’re left to finish that last sentence with: “… Right?”

ICYMI: DOdgers Remain in Trade Talks With Miami

Tuesday morning, the target to have been taken off the board was Mike Leake, who will be joining the St. Louis Cardinals, per Chris Cotillo among others.

Sources: #STLCards close on Leake. @ChrisCotillo on this last night.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2015

The initial response was obviously: “Well that’s too bad.” Then, the figures and details on Leake’s deal with the Cardinals started coming out.

Source: Leake deal with #STLCards is for five years with an option and includes a full no-trade clause.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2015

Source: Leake deal is five years, $80M with mutual option that could increase total value to $93M/$94M range.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2015

That’s quite a lot for Mike Leake, and the no-trade clause would also concern. Don’t get me wrong, Leake is a solid starter who would be a nice third starter for the Dodgers, but paying at least $80 million and as much as $94 million for that is insane.

Now, losing patience after Mike Leake signs elsewhere feels wrong after displaying it through watching Zack Greinke sign in Arizona and the madness that has ensued since the Winter Meetings, but there is an undeniable tension rising that wears on the patience ever so slightly.

Again, Leake is far from the straw that will break the camel’s back, but eventually it would be nice to report the Dodgers actually did something instead of how they were finalists for the free agent target who signed somewhere else.

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