Oct 19 2008
Peavy Rumors Abound - Where Will Jake Land?
It could be an even longer year in 2009 than it was in 2008 for San Diego, who could trade ace Jake Peavy. Photo: Point Spreads
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jake Peavy is a name that is becoming more and more prevalent in any hot stove discussion. Peavy is an attractive player on the trade market because of his dominance on the mound (he won the 2007 NL Cy Young) and his contract (signed through 2013).
The reason that San Diego would look to trade Peavy is twofold. The Padres are coming off of a terrible season that saw them exposed as a terrible hitting team reliant on just one star hitter (Adrian Gonzalez). Their farm system has some young pitching arms but few hitting prospects. Besides Matt Antonelli who was called up this September the Padres infield prospects are primarily in the low minors and at least a year away.
Kyle Blanks and Cedric Hunter are two potential impact bats that come to mind. Blanks is an absolute masher who pounded 20 HR and 107 RBI at AA this season with a .325 avg. However he is big and not fast and has no real position other than first base where he is obviously blocked by Gonzalez. Hunter played this year at High A Lake Elisnore and should be ready in 2010 at some point but not 2009.
Peavy’s health is also an issue, although he is entering his physical prime (late 20’s), he spent some time on the disabled list this season. While this is some concern an acquisition of Peavy would be no rental and a team should get plenty of usage from their new ace.
Potential suitors include St. Louis, Atlanta and Houston. St. Louis has center field prospect Colby Rasmus and some young pitching, but may not have enough star quality pitching prospects to get Peavy. Atlanta has the pieces in outfielders Jordan Schafer, Gorkys Hernandez and Jason Heyward, but seems reluctant to deal the necessary combination. Houston is where Peavy wants to go but their farm system is about as thin as they come. San Diego might demand a player like Hunter Pence to go with a top pitcher.
Wherever he goes he will be a welcome addition, Peavy is a true ace and a power pitcher who can give you 200 innings. Expect to see whatever team gets him make an immediate improvement.
