|  | | Jake Peavy? Don't count on it. | | By Jamey Newberg October 3, 2008 | I'm on a lunch break at a seminar, so this one will be quick.
There are reports that San Diego, which lost 99 games this year, may check around to see what the trade market for Jake Peavy is.
You can absolutely bet that the Padres, who could use help just about everywhere other than first base, will have Texas on their list, to the extent that they're really open to the idea of trading Peavy, one of baseball's best pitchers.
Don't get too excited.
For all I know, Peavy, reportedly frustrated with San Diego management, would waive his full no-trade clause (which lasts through 2010) to come to Texas, but that's not the issue.
He's signed to a relatively appropriate contract ($8 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011, $17 million in 2012, and $22 million in 2013 [or a $4 million buyout]), and at age 27 he should be in his prime throughout the deal. So that's not the holdup.
The reason I don't think there's any sense in getting hopes up is that the Padres are going to want someone like Ian Kinsler or Josh Hamilton or Chris Davis (if they like him at third base) to key the deal, along with Derek Holland or Neftali Feliz, and then probably Elvis Andrus or Taylor Teagarden. And then another pitching prospect or two.
They should ask for that. Peavy is a proven number one.
For me, the better plan, if the idea is to go get someone who can step in immediately to front your rotation, is to give up less than that for Matt Cain ($13.15 million for the next three years, assuming the 2011 club option is exercised) or Zack Greinke (two arbitration years remaining). The two 24-year-olds are not at Peavy's level, but when Peavy was their age he wasn't quite was he is today, either.
If Cain were to come here now and justify Peavy money after the 2009 and 2010 and 2011 seasons, then we'll be glad to pay it.
If Greinke were to come here and put himself in that sort of position after the next two years, nobody will complain.
There are plenty of other pitchers that could be in the Rangers' trade sights (Boston, Florida, Cincinnati, and Tampa Bay have some possibilities, and the Giants have Jonathan Sanchez as well), but if you're thinking as big as Peavy, I'd suggest it might make more sense to focus instead on Cain or Greinke, whose teams should be in similar restocking modes to the one that San Diego is apparently thinking about.
At least one local report suggests the Rangers have identified their top candidates to fill out the big league coaching staff, and interviews could begin next week.
One potential candidate for pitching coach is no longer available, as Toronto has signed Brad Arnsberg to a two-year extension to stay.
Back to the seminar.
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 Scott Lucas Scott Lucas was born in Arlington, Texas, to Richard and Becky Lucas. He lived mostly in Arlington before moving to Austin, where he graduated from The University of Texas. Scott works for Austin Valuation Consultants, Ltd., and has published several boring articles about real estate appraisal and environmental contamination. He makes a swell margarita and refuses to run longer than ten kilometres. |
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