Peavy Back To The DL

Looks like the White Sox 6 man rotation has finally worked itself out, as Peavy looks to be heading back to the DL (shocking), this time with a strained groin. It's actually too bad, because before his outing against the Tigers he had thrown a gem (CG, 3 hit shutout against the Indians), but this guy can't seem to stay on the field. At least this time it isn't his arm, so it shouldn't be too much of a long term injury.

The guy most thankful for this? Well, that would be Mr. John Danks who really deserves to be riding the pine.

Peavy To Start Wednesday

"MLB.com reports that White Sox SP Jake Peavy, on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder, played catch on Sunday and is expected to throw a side session on Monday. As along as he does not suffer a setback, he will return to the rotation for Wednesday's series finale against the Angels. "I do want to bring some enthusiasm, some fire, some passion," Peavy said. "I certainly think the ballclub could use a shot in the arm (CBS Sports)."

Shot in the arm is an understatement. The White Sox have been flat out terrible. They are 13-22 so far this season, so maybe Peavy can spark some life into this team. Even if Peavy is good, it hasn't been the starting pitching that's been bad, it's been the offense and the bullpen.

Adam Dunn: .167 3 HRs 14 RBIs
Alex Rios: .213 3 HRs 9 RBI
Alexei Ramirez: .244 3 HRs 11 RBIs

Those numbers are going to cut it. To be honest, other then Konerko no one is hitting exceptionally well. One would think Dunn will get it going, but it's really too bad, because they have a good rotation and it seems to be going to waste.

Jake Peavy Suffers Setback

"The remarkably quick recovery of Jake Peavy from shoulder surgery hit a speed bump Sunday when White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen decided to shut down the right-hander following an 83-pitch outing a day earlier.

Peavy has been pitching through shoulder soreness that he discounted as nothing serious, but the latest setback has changed things Guillen told the Chicago Tribune that Peavy might not return until the end of April (ESPN)."

Even though it doesn't sound like he will be out too long, if you're a White Sox fan you have to be a little concerned. This guy can't seem to stay healthy, and that fact it is once again his shoulder is alarming. The good news is the White Sox are one of the few teams with a deep rotation with Danks, Buehrle, Floyd, Jackson. For now they will call on Philip Humber, who has been impressive all spring.

Peavy Throws In Bullpen

"The Chicago Daily Herald reports that White Sox SP Jake Peavy threw 50 pitches in the bullpen Sunday. “Everything went well, but I have long way to go,” Peavy said. “It’s like starting over again in spring training. The biggest thing was everything was pain-free. The ankle was a non-issue. I threw all my pitches, trying to get a feel to accelerate this thing as fast as we can get back out there. Once again you have to be smart about it. It was a good day (Sportsline).”

Peavy will not be ready until very late August and maybe even into September. The question is whether or not the White Sox will still be in the playoff race. The are currently 2 games back of the Tigers for 1st place in the AL Central, and 9 games back in the Wild Card. If the Tigers get hot at all the White Sox could quickly find themselves looking towards next season.

Peavy To White Sox

The Chicago White Sox acquired Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres for four players.

The Sox sent pitchers Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter and Adam Russell.

Peavy, who has been on the disabled list since June 9 with an ankle injury, had a complete no-trade clause. He's a two-time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award in 2007.
Hell of a deal for both teams. I predicted the White Sox would make some noise this year, and if Peavy can return to for he will absolutely kill it for the White Sox. He is a stud and will put the White Sox over the top. Also, it is very good that the White Sox Held onto Dayan Viciedo as he is the future of baseball.

Jake Peavy to Phillies?

Well I know Woot will love this rumor...

There have been many rumors about where Peavy might go after turning down the chance to be traded to the White Sox. The thinking now is that it might be the Phillies. In my eyes there are only a couple of teams that have a chance (Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants). Well lets look at the checklist to why Peavy might go to Philly.

1. Play for a contender - CHECK
2. Play in the NL - CHECK
3. Being able to pay his contract - CHECK

Yet there are still some concerns. One is that his family is on the West Coast, so he would have to be willing to move across the country. The other concern is if the Phillies have money to spend, but after reading this quote from Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, I think they are willing to make such a move...

"We will not have unlimited spending - that's not how we operate, and I don't think we need it," Amaro said. "[But] the fact of the matter is, every year around trade-deadline time, it's been a rare moment that we have not been allowed to do what we felt is necessary to make our team better. How much flexibility, I could not tell you, but I do know that if we can improve the team, we think we will have a chance to do that (ESPN)."

Philly also has a very deep bullpen, so they could deal some prospects, and a reliever to get the deal done. If Philly can somehow pull this off they would be a real threat to make another World Series title run.

Peavy To White Sox? (Updated)

"The White Sox are close to acquiring Jake Peavy from the Padres, subject to the pitcher's approval of the deal, CBSSports.com has confirmed. The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported the possible deal in its Thursday editions, and baseball sources confirmed this morning that a trade is close. The sources said the deal would include several of the White Sox's top prospects (Sportsline)."

This could become a very big story, as the White Sox can hit, but their starting pitching is horrible. Peavy has the right to veto any trade, but at this point you would think he would just want to get out San Diego. Yes the city is real nice, but that team is horrible.

Until John Danks beat the Twins Wednesday night, White Sox starters other than Mark Buehrle were 0-8 this month, with a combined 8.11 ERA. That is flat out awful. If Peavy is able to come to Chicago it is an obvious upgrade over anything they have, but still I think Peavy is kind of overrated, and might struggle in the AL.

**UPDATE**

Two players believed to be in deal are left-handers Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda, a first-round Draft pick in 2007. Richard is nothing special, but Poreda throws about 100 MPH and seems like he will be a front line starter in the future, so the Padres did well in this deal IF Peavy agrees to it. That is all that it is holding the deal up according to MLB.com.


**UPDATE 2**

Well apparently getting Peavy to sign off on this is going to be tough. "The agent for San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy expressed doubt Thursday that his client is ready to sign off on a proposed trade to the Chicago White Sox. Agent Barry Axelrod told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that Peavy has a "strong preference" to stay in the National League (ESPN)." I really can't blame him, and the White Sox losing by like 20 runs today really won't help anything...

**UPDATE 3**

Peavy blocked the trade. Glad I am not a White Sox fan.

Cubs or Bust for Peavy

"San Diego general manager Kevin Towers said Monday that he's essentially dealing with just one team for the 2007 Cy Young Award Winner and that if a deal cannot t be struck at the Winter Meetings he will effectively pull Peavy off the trading block. Towers indicated that he's talking with just one team about Peavy - the Chicago Cubs - though a "third or fourth team," could essentially be roped in to ensure the Padres of the compensation package of players they're looking for. "It's the one ball club we're talking to," Towers said, "... there's no secret there (MLB.com)."

I am really starting to think that Peavy isn't going anywhere this year. The Cubs are kind of in flux in terms of owners, and I just don't see them being able to pony up the money, and young talent to rope this guy in. If I was Peavy I would try to play anywhere other then San Diego, since they have cashed it in for the forseable future. If, somehow, the Cubs were able to pull this off they could have a silly rotation of:

1. J. Peavy
2. C. Zambrano
3. R. Harden
4. R. Dempster
5. T. Lilly

-BMack

Braves Pull Out Of Peavy Talks

"The Atlanta Braves have pulled out of the Jake Peavy trade talks and will move ahead with other plans general manager Frank Wren told CBSSports.com on Friday. "We notified the Padres yesterday that based on our last offer not being accepted, we were out of it," Wren said. The Braves were set to send shortstop Yunel Escobar, pitcher Charlie Morton, reliever Blaine Boyer and Class A outfielder Gorkys Hernandez to the Padres for Peavy, who would have had to waive his no-trade clause (Sportsline)."

Well this certainly leaves the door open for a lot of other teams to get involved. Peavy has stated that he would want to stay in the NL, and since he has that no trade clause, he can do whatever he wants. Teams that would be in the running now are the Cubs, and Dodgers.

Predictions: Cubs Get Peavy

Imagine for a moment if the Cubs get Peavy. It would shake off that awful postseason, and add to an already deep rotation. Here's what their rotation would like it:

1. Carlos Zambrano (14-6, 3.91 ERA, 130 K) Career 3.48 ERA (27 Years Old)

2. Jake Peavy (10-11, 2.85 ERA, 166 K), Career 3.25 ERA (27 Years Old)

3. Rich Harden (10-2, 2.07 ERA, 181 K), Career 3.23 ERA (26 Years Old)

4. Ted Lilly (17-9, 4.09 ERA, 184 K), Career 4.40 ERA (32 Years Old)

5. Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.96 ERA, 187 K), Career 4.55 ERA (31 Years Old)

Not too bad if you ask me....

-BMack

Peavy To Sox?

In short....no. The Boston Globe is reporting that "San Diego general manager Kevin Towers has been working hard trying to put together a trade package with the Atlanta Braves for righthander Jake Peavy."

The problem?

"Peavy, who has a no-trade clause, is still making it clear that he wants to stay in the National League. While he hasn't ruled out Boston, it would be far down the list after NL teams such as Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago."

Peavy has been saying for a while that he wants to stay in the NL, and who can blame him? The NL is a lot easier to pitch in, and Boston is not exactly as warm and friendly (fan wise) as Atlanta, Houston, or LA. So, yea I really don't see a scenario that would bring Peavy to Boston, unless Theo pulls a rabbit out of his hat (like he did with Schilling).

-BMack