Leake, Reds avoid arbitration with 1-year deal

CINCINNATI -- For the third time in as many winters, Reds right-handed starting pitcher Mike Leake avoided arbitration with the club. On Friday, ahead of a deadline for clubs and players to exchange salary figures, Leake and Cincinnati agreed to a one-year deal worth $9.775 million.

Leake, 27, made $5.925 million last season, and despite having a sub-.500 record, turned in a solid 2014. He was 11-13 with a 3.70 ERA while setting career highs with 214 1/3 innings, 33 starts and 164 strikeouts.

A first-round Draft pick of the Reds in 2009, Leake went directly to the Majors after he earned a spot in the rotation out of Spring Training in 2010.

Over his five-year career, Leake is 53-42 with a 3.92 ERA in 147 games, including 142 starts.

Leake can become a free agent after the 2015 season.