With Matt Garza now on the Rangers, Jake Peavy has emerged as one of the most popular starting pitchers on the trade block in recent days. However, the White Sox are apparently having second thoughts about dealing him.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the White Sox are now telling teams that they will keep Peavy and “build around him.” There’s always the chance that they’ll do exactly that, but this sounds like a strategy designed to get someone to increase their offer. Peavy is 32 years old and has had some injury issues in recent years, so that’s not exactly a combination you want to build around.
For what it’s worth, Joel Sherman of the New York Post was told by one executive of a team interested in Peavy that the veteran right-hander wants to be dealt. While the source says Peavy has enjoyed his time with the White Sox, he senses the club is rebuilding and wants to pitch for a contender.
Peavy, who recently returned from a rib fracture, owns a 4.28 ERA and 76/17 K/BB ratio in 80 innings over 13 starts this season. He is under contract for $14.5 million next season.