Let the Bidding Begin

He's one of the best in baseball even if he's not up for the Cy Young this year.

The San Diego Padres have now said they will entertain offers for Jake Peavy. Jason at IIATMS talked about it the other day for the Yankees. This gives them payroll flexibility, and if they really drop payroll to $55M, they probably can't contend next season. This is almost a concession on their part. Peavy had another great year this year with a 2.85 ERA in 172.2 IP and 166 K. At age 27, he's still very young, and he's under control through at least 2012 (he has an option for '13 for $22M). He'll make $8M next season, $15M the year after, $16M, and $17M in the last season. In other words, he's really affordable for one of the best pitchers in baseball. The $22M option seems a bit steep, but again, he's an ace. You'd probably have to pick it up to get him to sign off on the trade, but honestly, I think he'd take an extra $5M tacked on to his contract to leave San Diego. I'm not sure you'd have to exercise the '13 option (Isn't it weird to think of '13 as 2013 instead of 1913?) to get him to waive his rights. He's an Alabama boy, so I don't think he's that attached to San Diego and a losing team. So who'd be involved?

Yankees
You always have to consider them in these discussions, especially now that they're in need of an upper-tier starter. He'd be as expensive as Burnett (probably cheaper) in terms of salary, but they'll have to give up a lot for him. I see a deal for Gardner/Jackson/Cabrera, Cano, Hughes, and a couple other mid-level minor leaguers. That's prett steep in money and prospects, but Peavy's worth it and the Yankees can withstand it.

Red Sox
Josh Beckett is gone after 2010, maybe 2009 (but $12M isn't too much for Beckett depending on health), and Peavy would be a nice fall-back. It would then give the Red Sox a formidable staff of Peavy, Lester, Beckett, Matsuzaka, and whoever else they wanted (it could be me and they'll still win 100 games). The thing is, the Red Sox aren't desperate for pitching and have plenty in the minors. However, only Buchholz is a front-line type of guy, and he didn't do too well this season. Though I wouldn't give up on him, there's no question I'd rather have Peavy. A deal of Buchholz, Reddick, Diaz, and a couple mid-level guys could get the job done (maybe adding Bowden for Reddick and Diaz could get the job done as well). The Red Sox could withstand the blow it would take to their farm system, and it would have the added bonus of kicking the Yankees in the balls.

Angels
They may need Peavy the least with the young guns they have, but imagine a rotation of Peavy, Lackey, Santana, Saunders, and Weaver. It would kill. The Angels' GM has already talked about them focusing on pitching. Well, here you go. A deal of Weaver (or Adenhart; I say Weaver because he's good but the Angels have other options), Wood (they don't seem to want him anyway), Rodriguez, and mid-level guys could get the job done. With Lackey possibly out after next year, Peavy would be the team ace in 2010.

Braves
The Braves desperately need an ace, and I imagine Wren has already called Towers. The Braves have $45M to spend, and they'll have more flexibility after next year when Hudson's contract is gone. The Braves have the added benefit of the "hometown" connection that might help convince Peavy to waive his no-trade clause. The thing is Wren stated they won't give up their big up-and-comers, but I think he might reconsider for Peavy. My guess is Lillibridge, Schafer (the Braves still have Anderson and Gorkys Hernandez or could include one of those), and Redmond/Hanson/Morton/Rohrbough with mid-level guys would get the job done without damaging the "next crop" guys (especially if Hanson isn't involved) too much (Schafer would hurt, but the Braves are fairly strong in center field).

Brewers
They're flush with prospects, and they'll need an ace after Sabathia and Sheets leave. That'd be a nice rotation with Peavy, Gallardo, Parra, Suppan, and Bush. The thing might be money, but Gagne and Sheets' contract will more than cover it. Could Green, Frederickson, Lawrie, and a couple others get the job done? The interest should be there. Not to mention they could transfer one or two of those prospects for a Weeks or Hardy.

Rangers
Nolan Ryan has promised to change the rotation, and this would be a major change. I imagine they would open the bank a little more for Peavy, and the Rangers definitely have the prospects. I'm guessing Saltalamacchia/Laird/Teagarden, Harrison/Feliz, Andrus, and a couple others could get it done. There's definite need and resources at play here.

Peavy would cost a lot, but he'll be in definite demand. I realize I might be over-estimating the number of the prospects involved, but when you have a lot of competition, you have to pay more. Other teams such as the Mets (prospects), Rays (payroll), Astros (prospects), and Dodgers (same division) have defects that might make me think they won't make serious bids.