By Soxman
A bold move could be the “P” in Prozac to fix the South Side.
Hot rumor from the San Diego Padres Beat Reporter Tom Krasovic:
The Chicago White Sox have offered four players to the Padres for their ace Jake Peavy. The trade is apparently so close to getting done, that manager Bud Black met with Peavy Wednesday night to discuss it.
If true, give Kenny Williams credit. He’s aggressively trying to fix his mistakes.
Peavy would bolster a pitching staff, which currently ranks 18th in MLB in ERA (4.58), and a rotation which has not had any consistency beyond current ace, Mark Buehrle. Peavy has a career ERA of 3.27 and remarkable control posting a career WHIP of 1.18. He would also lead the rotation by a large margin in innings pitched (61 IP, Buehrle has only 52), and Ks (69, Danks has 41).
Now before Southsiders start flocking in mass to be among the first to get a Peavy jersey from the Grandstand, remember that a number of things:
* Peavy has a full no trade clause, has confided in team mates he’d have concerns pitching for Ozzie Guillen, had has stated publicly he would prefer to stay in the National League.
* The Cubs were reportedly close to trading for Peavy earlier this season and the Padre’s asking price was believed to be too high, prompting the Cubs to walk away.
* Peavy is signed through 2012 with a club option for 2013, meaning the bounty for his services could cost the sox top prospect Gordon Beckham and others.
Still the Padres have made no secret in stating their desire to trade Peavy, who accounts for close to 30% of the teams total payroll at $11 million this season.
While the players the White Sox would send to the Padres are unknown at this time, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on the “Mike and Mike show” this morning that the Padres have interest in the White Sox young middle infielders.
You would have to think Beckham would be atop of their wish list, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Chris Getz of even Alexei Ramirez could be involved. Ramirez is signed through 2011 at a very affordable $1million per season.
Other prospects that could be involved in the trade include lefty Aaron Poreda, who has a 2.58 ERA in Birmingham, Clayton Richard, who has pitched well since joining the Sox rotation, or Jordan Danks, who is the younger brother of Sox pitcher John Danks.
Many feel the trade is done pending Peavy’s approval and that it will get done. However with the news of this potential trade hitting late Wednesday, its possible teams like the Mets, Brewers, or even the Cubs could jump into the bidding war.
On Thursday, the sportsbank.net joked that Sox fans were in need of Prozac. Could that be the key to fixing the Sox? Let’s exam further..
Pitching, or Peavy
Runs scored, (we are currently last in MLB)
Offense
Zip, that’s right hustle and speed
Alexei of 2008, or even half of him at this point.
Catching (I love AJ but base runners are stealing at will on us).
Peavy could very well be the first letter in solving the Sox playoff push puzzle and would silence many fans who are already calling for a waving the white flag on 2009 and trading aging talent for younger prospects.
-UPDATE-
The Padres and White Sox have agreed on the terms of the trade, it now only requires Peavy’s approval.
As called by Soxman early this morning, Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda are included in the deal. Top prospect, Gordon Beckham is not.
Richard, 25, has no record and a 4.33 ERA in 14 appearances for the Sox this season, including two starts.
Poreda, 22, is 3-4 with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts for Double-A Birmingham. He has allowed just 32 hits and struck out 50 in 46 1/3 innings.
Peavy, who is making $11 million this season, will make $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. The Padres hold a team option for $22 million with a $4 million buyout.