Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day

Posted in:

Illinois

* What do you think of the Jake Peavy deal?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:32 am

Comments

I think it’s awesome for 2010 and beyond.

As for 2009, if the White Sox are still in contention come Labor Day and he’s ready to go, excellent.

Giving up Poreda (who I liked as a future closer) Clayton Richard (has he finally seen the light?) and minor leaguer Dexter Carter (who I liked a lot) is a lot, but you can’t get something for nothing.

This raises an issue: could KW have gotten Halladay for the same price? I know Toronto wanted Alexi Ramirez, but if KW said no, take these 4 players….

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:35 am
High risk, high reward. I don’t know much about the players the Sox gave up, but many of those who do say the Sox paid a lot for Peavy. Maybe he helps this year, but he will certainly help the next two seasons for sure.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:41 am
I like it. Clayton Richard might develop into a solid third or fourth starter, but Peavey is a top line pitcher now and for the next five years - if the Sox will pay him his full amount and keep him rather than let him go or trade him.

I had hopes for Poreda, but young arms are always a gamble.

The Sox have their closer now - Matt Thorton - and Jenks to set him up or alternate with him. Jenks is starting his decline, and I would have preferred to trade him rather than Poreda.

And I would have offered to throw in Linebrink for free. His inconsistency is a major frustration to this Sox fan.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:44 am
Great move you now have a rotation you can depend on for three years now you work on a new outfield for next year and relief pitching. This team can now be in playoff contention for several years!

Comment by What the Heck Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:48 am
This would be an awesome rotation:
Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Jose Contreras.

Comment by Deep South Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:48 am
I’m always leery of pitchers with long term, big money deals and Richard was a big guy who could bring it but had a little trouble finding the plate consistently. If Peavy returns to form it will be a great deal but I have my doubts.
In the meantime, we’re stuck with Carrasco, Colon, Gomez, Freddie Garcia, and whomever as the 4th and 5th starters during crunch time. I agree about Linebrink and Thornton throws too many gopher balls right down the middle, belt high.
Still, if we can average 7 runs a game we’ll win the division and anything can happen in the playoffs.

Comment by Bill Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:55 am
As a Cubs fan, I can’t wait to see Peavy’s propensity for the fly ball to turn into a propensity for home runs at the Cell.

And the fact that his road ERA is a full point above his home ERA doesn’t bode well either, especially considering he is moving into such an offensive-friendly ball park.

I don’t really expect Peavy to have an ERA much better than 4 pitching for the Sox.

Comment by dave Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 10:59 am
Peavy is donw from an injury, and does not have experience lobbing from an ant hill; but he looks to b much betetr caliber pither then the 4 the Sox lost.

The backstory has me a little torn, not sure if he will be a team player.

Peavy decided not to leave the Padres when things were looking good for the team; when things colled off, and their future was not so bright, he decided he wants to bail and go with a team with much btetr winnin prospects.

I respect the decision, and I cant fault him for wanting to be with a winner, but I wonder if he will be a team player in the end; or one who is so focused on his own carreer that he will not push himself to th edge if the team needs it.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:14 am
Love it; bold and again demonstrates that Kenny Williams is all-in all of the time.

Comment by rsandack Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:19 am
I like the deal, not just for the playoff push but for the next few years. Peavy is a true #1 top-of-the-rotation guy and this shows the Sox can play with the big dogs. It is still better than many recent Cubs moves (DeRosa, Ryan Freel…come on…Ryan Freel!?!?) Jim Hendry may be losing his job after the new owners take over..

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:21 am
Since he’s hurt I guess you will need to “wait till next year” to find out.

Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:25 am
He is a seasoned addition to a great team. It is a natural. He has more than a few seasons left in him and he will be great.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:29 am
Love the deal. Between Kenny’s aggressiveness and Ozzie’s candor, it makes me want to switch allegiances from Cubs to Sox.

Comment by Ready to rumble Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:33 am
I like it, just because Kenny Williams always tries to win regardless of what he’s given. Hopefully will be good for both teams — if the Sox were the Yankees in terms of $$$ I’d say it’s a no brainer: you’ve just replaced a spotty 5th starter with at least a solid guy.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:40 am
What’s not to like? He’s a Cy Young award winner.

Hate to see Richard go but you have to give something to get something.

Comment by Stones Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:55 am
A good deal for Sox players and fans. Shows desire to do what is necessary to better the team.
I am a Pro-Sox but not anti Cub. I feel for Cubs who are in grip of Zell squeeze play. Thier loss is our gain, at least Chicago can enjoy Peavy in some manner.

Comment by Lisle Mike Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 12:08 pm
Gutsy, but I’m leery.

It’s a lot of money for a long time. Thome and Dye probably come off the books next year, but it’s still a major investment for a guy currently on the DL.

He’s been posting big numbers in the NL, but it’s a different story with a DH. And San Diego’s ballpark is much more a pitcher’s park than Comiskey.

I wouldn’t expect any help from Peavy this season. I would have rather had the other right-hander from Toronto.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 12:19 pm
I’ll gladly give up some potential to get three years worth of Cy Young Award winning pitching. He doesn’t help much this season though. He should have a few starts before the season ends to get himself tuned up and be available for the playoffs (knock on wood). Detroit actually improved themselves the most for this season by landing Washburn who’s not only a quality starter with post-season experience, but he’s also one of the hottest pitchers in the league right now. And of course Minnesota added Orlando Cabrerra which should give Ozzie an excuse to call for more bean balls.

Overall very good, doesn’t help much this regular season but makes the Sox dangerous in the post season if they make it and looks like a very solid rotation for the next few years.

Comment by Scooby Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 12:25 pm
Full disclosure - I’m a Cubs fan.

All four of the prospects are far from being sure things, and while Peavy won’t be as effective in the AL and outside the spacious Petco, he’s a bona fide #1 when healthy. $48 million guaranteed over the next 3 seasons will likely prevent the Sox from having the financial flexibility to address other needs, but KW is smart to focus on starting pitching. I like it.

Comment by The Doc Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 12:34 pm
I was against this trade before I was for it and upon reflection, I may have to reconsider my position as to whether I am now for it or against it, based upon how well he pitches and how well the voters, I mean the fans, accept him. OK, all kidding aside, its a good move for the Sox. Is he the best pitcher out there? Probably not at this point, and is he perfectly suited to pitch half his games at the Cell? Well, probably not, but he will be a very nice addition to the rotation and was a good trade for what the Sox had to use to get this finally done. And if he falls apart, I hear Mark Prior is an unrestricted free agent.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 12:48 pm
Great for the Sox, but (stepping on the cynic’s soapbox) another example of what irks me about pro baseball…it’s not about building the best team, it’s about staying in the race until August and then load up on as many hired hands on the last year of their contract as you can to get to the play-offs and then let them go in the off-season. (I don’t think Peavy is on his last year, but you get the idea.) The Florida Marlins were prehaps the best example. Time was a guy who had been traded 8 or 9 times was called “journeyman” and was generally a good to mediocre player(remember Ken Brett and the Lite beer commercials?) Seems the sense of team identity is lost for players like that, which (IMHO) is a shame. (relinquish soapbox)

Comment by What planet is he from? Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 1:22 pm
Peavy is a gamble, but it is a guts ball act by the Sox. (I have been a CWS fan since the days of Jimmy Dykes when the best that could be hoped for was fourth in an eight team league.

Put in perspective, good pitching gets better with good defense and then good hitting and smart base running.

Beckham looks like the real deal. I was surprised that Ozzie played him through 0 for 13. Bring his fielding up a notch and third will be a fixture for a decade. Hopefully, Alexi will prove durable at short but remember Beckam was a shortstop.

Defense is a necessary condition to win pennants, otherwise pitchers must put more hurt on their arms — more pitches, more trying to hit locations.

The Sox still do some technically bad base running. When they are slamming the ball hard, it is not as noticeable. But when they have to move around on fewer hits they can not squander base runners.

Let’s hope that Buerhle recovers his savvy and and Contreras stays strong. Colon has been reduced to semi-Colon, it is always a thrill to see Dotel decide whether to pitch it or throw it.

Comment by Truthful James Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 1:52 pm
Well, looks like the Padres won’t have this guy to fill the Peavy hole in the rotation. Sox fans should hope Peavy’s comeback goes a different route.
A bold move but it amounts to trading for damaged goods in the hope the damage is temporary and slight.

RHP Mark Prior, who has been unsuccessful in his comeback attempt over the last two years with the Padres, was released by the Padres Sunday afternoon. Prior has had two rounds of shoulder surgery since he last pitched for the Cubs in 2006.

Comment by Frank Booth Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 1:53 pm
Bottom line, the trade makes the Sox better. Sure, Richard and Poreda will be missed, but the new 44 is good. welcome to him.

also, the Sox farm system is bringing up lots of talent in general, so there is more to come. loving the Becks and Getz double double combination lots of late at the bat. and the way that Becks came up so quick, it makes you wonder if the kid they drafted from LSU will make it up fast…he did well in the College World Series.

White Sox, White Sox, Go Go White Sox.

Comment by Amy Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Who cares! What a terrible fan base. The New York Yankees were in town and they could not sell out a Sunday afternoon game on a beautiful day going for a sweep. What a pitty. CHEAP! Sox fans dont support their team..

Comment by ivoted4judy Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 2:47 pm
Dave, The Cell is a huge park, he will be fine.
He is hurt, risky move give Richard’s last start. KWil is trying, give that to him.

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 3:12 pm
PS, can the Cubs have Jenks for Gregg?

I am a Cubs fan first, but want the Sox to do well too.

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 3:19 pm
ivoted4judy-

What does attendance have to do with Jake Peavy? Why do Cub’s fans always bring this up? We get it, there are more Cubs fans than Sox fans.

Anyway, to answer the question, I like the move. This team might make the playoffs this year, but i think this move sets up the team for future years.

Comment by 19th Ward Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 5:24 pm
Good deal. He has an ankle injury, not an arm or shoulder injury. He’s 28 and has about 3 more years as a #1 or #2. Those guys are incredibly difficult to come by. If you get a boost in late 2009. so much the better.

Comment by Budget Watcher Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 5:26 pm
I think it is a fabulous deal for the Sox. As stated by others, he’s a bona fide #1, and is the kind of power pitcher that their rotation could really use. With him in he rotation will really have a lot of different looks, which can have a real effect on a series.

As far as what the Sox gave up, I think it was the price that needed to pay, simple as that. Richard could be a good pitcher, but he needs time/work still. Poreda needs to learn to throw more than a fastball, and is destined for the bullpen. Dexter Carter could actually turn out to be the best of them, as has had some phenomenal numbers in A ball, but that’s still a long way from The Show. The main thing to be was that they didn’t give up their best pitching prospect, who has filthy numbers at AA, Dan Hudson.

The Sox could afford to take on the salary, because there is money that they haven’t spent the past few years, in particular from the failed attempt to sign Torii Hunter. Thome & Contreras come off the payroll this off-season, which is 20+ million. In reality, for Kenny Williams this probably makes things a bit easier to figure out going into 2010, by knowing his “fixed costs” better.

As for this year, the deal only matters if the Sox remain in striking distance when he gets off the DL. It would give them a killer playoff rotation.

As to those who would raise either his injury history, or his transition from Petco -> The Cell, I only have one thing to say: Don Cooper. Not that he would go reinventing the wheel on a Cy Young pitcher, but I’m sure he has some ideas on how to smoothen out his delivery some, as well as how to pitch in The Cell. Some of the fly-ball effect that would hurt him in The Cell would also be negated by what a good strikeout pitcher he is.

Comment by Baines 4 Prez Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 5:43 pm
As usual, these things depend on a lot of things.

Peavy is a phenomenal pitcher and would be a steal at any price….. already, not any price, a la Sabathia’s ungodly sum that he got from the Yankees, but you get my point. However, he’s had more than a few injuries during his career, and as he approaches his 30’s he’s reaching the point of his career where injuries tend to be more lingering and take longer periods of time to fully recover from.

That being said, a healthy Peavy equals at least another couple wins this season (and next) that the Sox probably wouldn’t have gotten from their other pitchers, which could very well decide a tight AL Central race.

Long story short, as has already been said…. moderately high risk for a potentially high reward. No one would complain if Peavy helps propel the Sox to be the AL Central Division Champs this year and next, though if injuries bring him down he could very well be a big white elephant that was not worth trading five up-and-comers for.

That being said, I would’ve made the same trade and give props to the Sox for doing it, even though I was wanting to see him wear Cubbies blue rather than White Sox black.

Comment by TJ Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 6:12 pm
19th Ward. next time a Cubs fan brings up attendance (something the dolt, Ronnie Santo would be proud of) bring up 2005.

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Aug 3, 09 @ 11:49 pm