Peavy trade still possible?

Everytime you think Jake Peavy will stay with the San Diego Padres a new rumor comes out. This past Friday, team CEO Sandy Alderson reiterated his belief that Peavy will be with the team on opening day. “I’ve said before I think Jake will be with us on Opening Day, and I still believe that,” Alderson said. “The bottom line is I think he is going to be with us to open the season.” But you know what? Do any of us really believe that? Looking at the Padres payroll and budget, it’s definitely hard to believe it. Even Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports hints that a move could still be possible.

For those that don’t know, the Padres are struggling to meet their payroll budget. Ownership set the budget at approximately $40 million for the 2009 season. Currently they’re at about $44-45 million. Not to bad, but ownership still wants the number to be at or below the set rate. There are two players that could easily be moved to reach this number, Brian Giles ($9 million) and Peavy ($11 million). The problem the team is having is that both players have no trade clauses. In fact, Giles turned down a trade to the Red Sox last season. Since then his thinking has changed and he’d be willing to consider a trade (but not until the summer). So yea, he wants to be a Padre and won’t consider a move till he sees how the team is performing. Can the Padres really count on moving him mid-season? Not at all, he could get hurt or just have a horrendous season. So what does that leave? Jake Peavy as your trading option.

Peavy also has a full no trade clause but its still believed he would accept a trade to the Chicago Cubs. The actual trade talks have slowed lately due to the sale of the Cubbies. After that’s finished talks could pick back up.

Personally, I think Peavy will be moved. The best scenario for the Padres would be mid-season, give a little wait and see. If the team is in the playoff race you keep him in the fold and hope to make some extra money from a playoff push. The risks they take is Peavy getting hurt. He has some history with arm ailments, including being shut down for a month in 2008 with elbow and forearm swelling. With a young franchise that needs to fight to fill the seats I think its a risk worth taking.

What happens who knows. But if Peavy is traded I hope it’s to the Cubbies and his amazing talent is kept away from the American League.

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Tags: Chicago Cubs, MLB, San Diego Padres