MLB Trade Rumors: Why Jake Peavy Could Become a Target by the Deadline
As the 2011 season approaches, the Chicago White Sox are preparing to once again attempt to overtake the Minnesota Twins for the American League Central crown.
Team president Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Kenny Williams have worked hard acquiring talent this offseason that will ensure the team will remain competitive with the likes of the Twins and Detroit Tigers.
Perhaps the biggest strength of the White Sox roster is their starting rotation. Between John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson, the team has what is on paper one of the top rotations in the American League.
But even with such an elite level of talent, there is a certain level of uncertainty surrounding most parts of the rotation.
Buehrle and the more recently acquired Jackson will all be free agents after 2011, while Danks will be arbitration eligible. Peavy, on the other hand, has a large sum of guaranteed money coming his way over the next few seasons.
If the organization aims to keep their rotation somewhat in tact for the long-term, decisions will have to be made.
One of the first decisions may be dealing Jake Peavy and his hefty contract away from the south side.
White Sox May Look To Cut Payroll If Out of Contention...
1 of 10
The White Sox payroll is currently sitting around $125 million. Right around $50 million is dedicated to their starting rotation.
It's clear the team places an emphasis on pitching and counts on the staff to lead the team to the top of the division and ultimately an AL pennant.
If the team stands atop the division for the first half of the season, it's unlikely the organization will look to pull apart their team and build towards 2012 and beyond.
But if the team finds themselves a fair distance behind the Tigers or Twins, the team will have tough decisions to make.
No matter how the 2011 season plays out, decisions will need to be made by management. With starters Buehrle and Jackson entering free agency, the team will need to find a way to keep a nucleus together for the long-term.
...and Dealing Peavy May Be a Good Place To Start
2 of 10
Jake Peavy is owed $16 million in 2011, $17 million in 2012 and $22 million in 2013 ($4 million buyout).
With the exception of the newly acquired Adam Dunn, this represents the richest contract on the White Sox roster.
If the team is looking to free up money for the future, freeing the books of Peavy's contract may be a good place to start.
Danks, Buehrle and Jackson Provide Ample Front End Stability
3 of 10
A former ninth overall pick, John Danks posted a 15-11 record and a 3.72 ERA in 213 innings pitched. Danks has given the organization confidence he can be their go-to guy in the future, and the team will look to lock him up for the long-term shortly.
Buehrle has been a staple in the White Sox rotation since 2000. Buehrle holds a career 148-110 record with a 3.85 ERA. He has had success against the AL Central and will likely continue to do so in 2011.
While he may be somewhat inconsistent, Edwin Jackson was a good acquisition for the White Sox. The righty went 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 75 innings after being sent to Chicago last summer.
The front end of the rotation for the White Sox is possibly one of the best in the American League, and with the level of talent being as high as it is, Peavy may become expendable if a differing need arises for the team.
Team Needs To Lock in John Danks for the Long-Term
4 of 10
With the free agency of Mark Buehrle and Edwin Jackson looming after this season, the White Sox will need to prioritize their signings for 2012 and beyond.
This may mean that GM Kenny Williams will be forced to let players like the 31-year-old Buehrle move on.
A move like that would likely go over like a lead balloon with the fans in Chicago, as Buehrle has been a favorite for the better part of a decade.
John Danks is gaining the same status with White Sox fans and may very well represent the future of the White Sox organization.
If Peavy were to be dealt, the team would be more likely to retain the services of both Buehrle as well as Danks, further solidifying the rotation for years to come.
Health Issues Raise Questions about Long-Term Effectiveness
5 of 10
Peavy's nine-year career has been very strong overall; it's also had its fair share of hiccups along the way.
Fortunately for the White Sox, when Peavy is healthy, he's generally a consistent pitcher on the mound and can change a game. But the team will have a hard time relying on his ability to stay healthy when so much payroll is at stake.
Whether it was his ankle, arm or back, Peavy has lost time due to durability issues. Williams and Reinsdorf will have to take a long look at Peavy as they make a decision on whether or not they believe he'll remain healthy in 2011 and beyond.
If doubts linger, don't be surprised if the team looks to acquire some younger talent in exchange for the right-hander.
Yankees Can Never Be Discounted from Making a Deadline Deal
6 of 10
With the uncertainty surrounding the return of Andy Pettitte, general manager Brian Cashman has to be watching closely as teams assess the status of their rotations.
The Yankees do still have a formidable starting rotation highlighted by C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes. But beyond that, things get a little fuzzier.
Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre are expected to hold down the back end of the Yankees rotation. However, if the team shows signs of struggles early on, nobody would be surprised to see the team pursue a starter like Jake Peavy—if the White Sox are willing to deal.
Team Has Depth To Replace Peavy in Rotation
7 of 10
As mentioned earlier, the White Sox pride themselves on having a rotation that can take over ballgames.
With such a strong starting five, one might think the team wouldn't consider breaking up the rotation. Luckily for the team, the White Sox also have depth on their sides.
After being drafted 13th overall in the 2010 MLB draft, pitcher Chris Sale was fast tracked through the Minor League system and made his Major League debut on August 6, 2010.
Coming out of the bullpen, Sale was effective in his rookie campaign. In 21 appearances, Sale went 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA. Sale also notched 32 strikeouts in the 23 innings he pitched.
Should the team feel they can part ways with Peavy, Sale would be a formidable replacement for the high priced starter.
Team Could Swap Peavy To Fill Future Voids
8 of 10
Looking beyond the starting rotation, the White Sox will have multiple question marks after the 2011 season.
Carlos Quentin and Alexei Ramirez will both be arbitration eligible after 2011, while Juan Pierre and Matt Thornton will be free agents.
Since the White Sox have dedicated so much payroll in sluggers Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn, it's likely much of the remaining money Kenny Williams has to work with will go towards securing starting pitching.
If the right opportunity presents itself, the White Sox would be wise to consider swapping Peavy for a package involving an outfielder that could potentially replace departing members of the organization.
Rangers May Need a Starter Like Peavy To Compete in AL West
9 of 10
After acquiring highly coveted starting pitcher Cliff Lee prior to the 2010 trade deadline, the Texas Rangers undoubtedly got the message that starting pitching wins ballgames.
The team set themselves apart from the rest of the AL West and defeated the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees on their way to the World Series.
Unfortunately, the Rangers would lose the Cliff Lee sweepstakes this offseason and are left with a rotation that needs improvement.
If the White Sox are willing to deal as the summer approaches, the Rangers would be wise to compile a package that would bolster their rotation with the acquisition of Jake Peavy.
Peavy May Come at a Discount for Some Team
10 of 10
There are a number of unpredictable circumstances surrounding what could happen to Jake Peavy in 2011.
The level of which Peavy is able to return to after undergoing the surgery that ended his 2010 season is still up in the air.
It's quite possible that Peavy won't reach the numbers he was able to put up in 2008 (Peavy's last full season played).
This uncertainty could cause potential suitors to hold back from throwing out their best prospects in exchange.
At the same time, if the White Sox hope to free up payroll for the re-signings they'll attempt to make next offseason, a compromise may need to be made—meaning Peavy could cost less than teams may think.
