With Greinke Gone, D-backs Bring Mike Leake Back To Arizona

Image credit: Mike Leake (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The D-backs were quite busy Wednesday, acquiring Zac Gallen in a swap of prospects with Top 100 pedigree and trading Zack Greinke to the Astros for a prospect haul. Between it all, they also acquired righthander Mike Leake from the Mariners in exchange for infield prospect Jose Caballero.

Leake had a full no-trade clause but waived it to return to Arizona, where he starred for Arizona State in college.

D-BACKS ACQUIRE

Mike Leake, RHP
Age: 31

While no longer the above-average starter he was in his prime with the Reds, Leake remains a durable righthander who throws strikes and pitches deep into games. His 1.2 BB/9 was the lowest in the American League this season, although he’s also allowed a major-league high 153 hits. Overall, Leake went 9-8, 4.40 for the Mariners this season. He is signed through 2020 and has a mutual $18 million option for 2021 that includes a $5 million buyout.

MARINERS ACQUIRE

Jose Caballero, 3B
Age: 22

A seventh-round pick in 2017 after leading Chipola (Fla.) JC to a junior college national championship, Caballero is a heady player with excellent bat control, gap power and superb baserunning instincts that make him a prolific basestealer. He was 28 for 35 in stolen bases this year at high Class A Visalia while batting .268/.388/.396. He earned positive reviews for his defense at third base and has also seen time at second base and shortstop. Caballero lacks power, but he does a lot of little things well and has a chance to rise as a bench player.