12-09-2008, 03:59 PM
Well, it looks like Stark has joined Rosenthal...
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->A Chicago Cubs source vehemently denied reports that a trade for Jake Peavy is imminent, telling ESPN.com Tuesday that the club is not "remotely close" to a deal for the San Diego Padres ace.
Jake Peavy
Peavy
The Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday night that the Cubs were very close to a deal, according to a source close to GM Jim Hendry.
But according to ESPN.com's source, there are multiple reasons the Cubs can't move forward on any trade for Peavy right now.
First, the source said, the Cubs' "No. 1 priority" is adding a left-handed-hitting outfielder, not a starting pitcher. And the team isn't close to acquiring that bat. The Cubs have interest in a half-dozen outfielders who meet that description, with free agents Raul Ibanez and Bobby Abreu seemingly at the top of that list.
Second, the Cubs' muddled ownership situation leaves Hendry and his baseball people unsure about whether they would be permitted to take on a contract as large as Peavy's. The 27-year-old right-hander will make $11 million next season and has as much as $81 million remaining over the next five years if his team picks up his 2013 option.
The source didn't deny that the Cubs have had numerous discussions about a deal for Peavy, including three-team and four-team scenarios that could involve the Baltimore Orioles and/or Philadelphia Phillies.
But the Cubs have also pursued other, less-expensive starting pitching options, including free agent Randy Johnson, who is only looking for a one-year deal.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->A Chicago Cubs source vehemently denied reports that a trade for Jake Peavy is imminent, telling ESPN.com Tuesday that the club is not "remotely close" to a deal for the San Diego Padres ace.
Jake Peavy
Peavy
The Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday night that the Cubs were very close to a deal, according to a source close to GM Jim Hendry.
But according to ESPN.com's source, there are multiple reasons the Cubs can't move forward on any trade for Peavy right now.
First, the source said, the Cubs' "No. 1 priority" is adding a left-handed-hitting outfielder, not a starting pitcher. And the team isn't close to acquiring that bat. The Cubs have interest in a half-dozen outfielders who meet that description, with free agents Raul Ibanez and Bobby Abreu seemingly at the top of that list.
Second, the Cubs' muddled ownership situation leaves Hendry and his baseball people unsure about whether they would be permitted to take on a contract as large as Peavy's. The 27-year-old right-hander will make $11 million next season and has as much as $81 million remaining over the next five years if his team picks up his 2013 option.
The source didn't deny that the Cubs have had numerous discussions about a deal for Peavy, including three-team and four-team scenarios that could involve the Baltimore Orioles and/or Philadelphia Phillies.
But the Cubs have also pursued other, less-expensive starting pitching options, including free agent Randy Johnson, who is only looking for a one-year deal.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->