Cubs close to acquiring Jake Peavy (1 Viewer)

[TheWalkmen]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....close-to-a.html

Originally posted: December 9, 2008

Cubs close to acquiring Jake Peavy

By Phil Rogers, 9:47 a.m.

The Jake Peavy-Cubs trade talks have reached a point where it will be a stunner if the Cubs don’t acquire Peavy, who immediately would become the best pitcher on a staff that already boasts Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Rich Harden.

That’s because two general managers -– the Padres’ Kevin Towers and the Cubs’ Jim Hendry -- are working hard to make it happen. If it doesn’t happen, it’ll become one of the few trades -– maybe the first -- that couldn’t be made when BOTH general managers were motivated to get it done.

Towers told reporters on Monday that the Cubs were the only team he is continuing to talk to about Peavy and that making a Peavy trade was his full focus at the winter meetings. He then went out and proved it by working to facilitate a potentially four-team trade that would send Mark DeRosa to Philadelphia and Felix Pie to Baltimore and bring back pitchers Garrett Olson, J.A. Happ (the Northwestern product) and Sean Marshall for the Padres.

The key for that deal to work is for the Phillies or Orioles to take Jason Marquis, with the Cubs agreeing to eat some of his salary.

Would this be a good deal for the Cubs?

Getting Peavy unquestionably makes it a good deal, even though DeRosa could be missed. His departure would make the left-handed-hitting Mike Fontenot the second baseman, partially fulfilling Lou Piniella’s wish to become more balanced. The addition of a left-handed-hitting right fielder –- some reports now say Milton Bradley is at the top of their list –- would make Piniella very happy.

Peavy has turned in sub-3 earned run averages in four of the last five seasons, including a 2.85 mark last year. He’s been helped by Petco Park, sure, but overall he’s allowed only 315 hits in 397 innings the last two years. That figure doesn’t have much to do with Petco’s large dimensions.

update 12/11/08:

12/11/08 1:16 PM EST

No deal: Cubs pull out of Peavy sweeps

GM Hendry informs Padres that he is involved in other matters

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.j...sp&c_id=chc

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

As much as I like DeRosa, it sure doesn't sound like the Cubs would be giving up all that much if this really is the deal. I could live with Pie leaving even if he did figure it out if it meant the Cubs won a title. And Marshall is good but I really don't see greatness there, so yes, this would be a good deal for the Cubs.

Make it happen, Jim.

 

[BigA]

If we get peavy great. But the key will be which RF will we get..we need a hitter not a pitcher.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

If we get peavy great. But the key will be which RF will we get..we need a hitter not a pitcher.

With Harden, Dempster and Z on the staff, I'm pretty sure the Cubs need a pitcher. I totally agree about needing right fielder, but Peavy would make this easily the best rotation in the NL. And don't rule out Hoffpauir contributing a great deal this year. I would have personally like to have seen the Cubs trade D Lee (or possibly trade him during the season) if Hoffpauir proves he can play every day in the bigs.

 

[Oh Yes!]

If we get peavy great. But the key will be which RF will we get..we need a hitter not a pitcher.

With Harden, Dempster and Z on the staff, I'm pretty sure the Cubs need a pitcher. I totally agree about needing right fielder, but Peavy would make this easily the best rotation in the NL. And don't rule out Hoffpauir contributing a great deal this year. I would have personally like to have seen the Cubs trade D Lee (or possibly trade him during the season) if Hoffpauir proves he can play every day in the bigs.