Is Jake Peavy a good fit for the Sox?
Knee jerk reaction:
Uhhh, yeah he's a good fit for the Sox. Who wouldn't want to add a former Cy Young award winner on their staff?
Longer, better thought-out answer:
Well, it's complicated. First you have to take the Padres' asking price into account. According to reports, the Braves have the most competitive offer to date with a package of Yunel Escobar, Gorkys Hernandez, Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes, and Blaine Boyer or one of two other minor league pitchers. Assuming the Sox would have to give up the same type of haul (MLB shortstop, a couple MLB-ready pitchers and a minor league pitching prospect), the Sox would presumably have to give up something like Lowrie, Buchholz, Bowden and one of Delcarmen or Bard. (Maybe GM Kevin Towers may even request that Lester be the centerpiece, who knows?) Substantial, to say the least, but keep in mind that Peavy's locked up through 2012 with a club option for 2013. For a year-by-year breakdown of his salary, go here.
Next, you have to consider all the rest of the junk - Peavy's no-trade clause, the effect of his acquisition on the rest of the rotation, especially Beckett and Dice-K, etc., etc. Beckett's been known to have a bit of a sensitive side to him, and the acquisition of another ace may ruffle some feathers. Plus, Beckett's contract is up at the end of the season and due to the fact that he took a bit of a discount last time around, he'll be looking for some serious dollars this time. No way he'll come back for anything less than what Peavy makes with the guy pitching right behind him. And don't overlook the effect a Peavy acquisition could have on Dice-K and Lester - they figure to slot into the 2-3 spots behind Beckett, but they could be dealing with bruised egos if they got bumped back a spot to accommodate Peavy. Oh, and this whole thing might be a non-issue in the first place as Peavy has already said he doesn't want to come to the AL, something he can dictate due to his no-trade clause.
Ultimately, it's a very intriguing prospect. Like I said, who wouldn't want to add a Cy Young winner to their rotation? But in the end, it just seems like the asking price would be way too high, and we'd basically be saying goodbye to Beckett after next year as it would be virtually impossible to afford both aces. Verdict: Pass.
Uhhh, yeah he's a good fit for the Sox. Who wouldn't want to add a former Cy Young award winner on their staff?
Longer, better thought-out answer:
Well, it's complicated. First you have to take the Padres' asking price into account. According to reports, the Braves have the most competitive offer to date with a package of Yunel Escobar, Gorkys Hernandez, Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes, and Blaine Boyer or one of two other minor league pitchers. Assuming the Sox would have to give up the same type of haul (MLB shortstop, a couple MLB-ready pitchers and a minor league pitching prospect), the Sox would presumably have to give up something like Lowrie, Buchholz, Bowden and one of Delcarmen or Bard. (Maybe GM Kevin Towers may even request that Lester be the centerpiece, who knows?) Substantial, to say the least, but keep in mind that Peavy's locked up through 2012 with a club option for 2013. For a year-by-year breakdown of his salary, go here.
Next, you have to consider all the rest of the junk - Peavy's no-trade clause, the effect of his acquisition on the rest of the rotation, especially Beckett and Dice-K, etc., etc. Beckett's been known to have a bit of a sensitive side to him, and the acquisition of another ace may ruffle some feathers. Plus, Beckett's contract is up at the end of the season and due to the fact that he took a bit of a discount last time around, he'll be looking for some serious dollars this time. No way he'll come back for anything less than what Peavy makes with the guy pitching right behind him. And don't overlook the effect a Peavy acquisition could have on Dice-K and Lester - they figure to slot into the 2-3 spots behind Beckett, but they could be dealing with bruised egos if they got bumped back a spot to accommodate Peavy. Oh, and this whole thing might be a non-issue in the first place as Peavy has already said he doesn't want to come to the AL, something he can dictate due to his no-trade clause.
Ultimately, it's a very intriguing prospect. Like I said, who wouldn't want to add a Cy Young winner to their rotation? But in the end, it just seems like the asking price would be way too high, and we'd basically be saying goodbye to Beckett after next year as it would be virtually impossible to afford both aces. Verdict: Pass.
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