Reports: Mike Leake close to signing deal with Cardinals

— -- The St. Louis Cardinals, who lost a bidding war for starter David Price and saw pitcher John Lackey and slugger Jason Heyward sign with the Cubs, are close to signing free-agent right-hander, Mike Leake, according to multiple media reports.

Terms of the deal were not available. The Cardinals made an offer to Leake last week and had been awaiting a decision, a baseball source told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Leake's camp had been seeking a five-year deal, while the Cardinals were interested in four years, the source added.

Leake, 28, was acquired by the San Francisco Giants in late July after spending his first five-plus seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. He injured his hamstring after one start with the Giants but returned to pitch eight more games.

Leake finished the season 11-10 (2-5 for San Francisco) with a 3.70 ERA and 1.16 WHIP and capped 2015 with a two-hitter, his first career shutout, on Sept. 30 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Leake was drafted by the Reds with the eighth overall pick in 2009. He is 64-52 with a 3.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in six career seasons.

The Dodgers have also been rumored to be in the chase for Leake.