Jake Peavy may have pitched his last game in a Chicago White Sox uniform as he understands there are plenty of suitors interested in acquiring the services of the veteran right-hander. Which teams are rumored to land Peavy? Let's take a look at Peavy's recent performance and identify potential suitors for the White Sox.
Peavy is coming off a dominant performance against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday as he outpitched the 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner, Justin Verlander. Peavy went seven innings, allowing four runs on three home runs, striking out seven and walking two Tigers. Yes, the three home runs he surrendered aren't impressive. However, ESPN's Curt Schilling was impressed by Peavy's ability to locate the ball and the movement he had on his pitches.
Peavy is a 12-year veteran and former Cy Young Award Winner, meaning the 32-year-old knows how to pitch. It looks as though his rib cage has completely healed, as an injury caused the righty to miss a month and a half earlier this season. For the year, he's 8-4 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. His ERA isn't impressive, but Peavy's WHIP shows that he's not permitting many base runners.
So, who is in on the Peavy Sweepstakes?
Jayson Stark of ESPN made it clear who was on hand to watch Peavy pitch. Here's the tweet:
How can each of these teams use help from Peavy? Let's take a look at each suitor and their circumstances.
The Boston Red Sox make sense because they don't know when Clay Buchholz will return from his shoulder injury that has kept him out of the pitching rotation since June 8. Buchholz has been the most effective starter in the Red Sox's rotation this year. Jon Lester is struggling and John Lackey has impressed, but he has a mediocre 7-7 record despite owning a 2.95 ERA. An arm like Peavy's in the Red Sox's rotation would only improve the team's starting unit. Red Sox starters are ninth in baseball with a combined 3.81 ERA, second with 549 strikeouts and fourth with 43 wins this season.
Are they the most desperate team in need of pitching? Probably not, but the Red Sox are trying to remain on top of the A.L. East as they own a slim .5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.
The St. Louis Cardinals might simply be going for the kill. Adam Wainwright has been lights out with a 13-5 record and 2.44 ERA, leading the Cardinals rotation, which includes two other pitchers with an ERA under 3.00. Shelby Miller is 10-6 with a 2.77 ERA and Jake Westbrook is 7-4 with a 2.95 ERA. Lance Lynn's ERA is nothing to talk about, but the Cardinals have provided him with plenty of run support as his 12-5 record is outstanding. Adding Peavy to this group would place the Cardinals on another level from the playing field as far as starting pitching. Their rotation has won the most game in baseball, 53, and they have surrendered the least number of home runs out of any club in baseball.
The Los Angeles Dodgers can never be overlooked in any trade rumor. So what if their payroll is already packed? They are trying to make their 2012 offseason investments worthwhile. They took over first place in the N.L. West and currently own a 53-48 record with a .5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers' starting rotation has the fourth best ERA in baseball at a 3.48 clip, but they are tied for 18th with 33 combined wins from the starting rotation.
Zack Greinke looks much improved after coming back from injury and Clayton Kershaw probably one of, if not the best starters in baseball.
The Atlanta Braves went from having the healthiest starting rotation in baseball, to one of the frailest after losing two starters in a week. Veterans Paul Maholm and Tim Hudson went down in the Braves' rotation and Atlanta is still looking to add an arm in the bullpen. Peavy is considered a great fit for the Braves, as not only can he pitch well, but also provide a great veteran presence in an otherwise young, albeit talented clubhouse and rotation.
The Baltimore Orioles added relief help after acquiring Francisco Rodriguez earlier this week. They had previously bolstered their starting pitching by adding Scott Feldman from the Chicago Cubs as well. Even with such acquisition, the Orioles don't appear finished. Adding Peavy, however, may not be to the best of their interests. Orioles' starters have allowed the most home runs, 94, and Peavy surrendered three in his last start, totaling 14 for the season. They could use a veteran presence in their rotation, as Chris Tillman has been their best starter posting a 12-3 record with a 3.84 ERA.
The Cincinnati Reds might have some of the game's best young pitching as Mike Leake and Mat Latos are leading the way with 10 victories each. Tony Cingrani is 4-1 in 11 starts this year and is an absolute strikeout machine, averaging over a punchout per inning. Combined, the Reds starting rotation is sixth in baseball with 42 wins and their 3.37 ERA is third in baseball. Peavy makes sense because he can provide backup in case Johnny Cueto gets injured.
Finally, the Texas Rangers. They had two scouts looking at Peavy, so they must really be serious. For all the talent in their pitching rotation, the Rangers' starting rotation has been poor. They already acquired Matt Garza from the Cubs, but he doesn't appear to be enough. The Rangers have used 10 starters this season and Yu Darvish has been their bonafide ace. Peavy could be a backup for guys like Garza and Darvish, who have spent time on the disabled list in their careers.
