White Sox’s Peavy bracing for possible trade

CLEVELAND — Jake Peavy is prepared to make his next start — for the White Sox or anyone else.

Chicago’s coveted right-hander could be traded before Wednesday’s deadline, and said he’s eager for the next few days to pass as quickly as possible.

“I’ll be happy when Wednesday is here and there’s no more speculation,” Peavy said before the White Sox opened a four-game series at Cleveland on Monday. “I know there’s a good chance I could possibly start and there’s a good chance I won’t start. I don’t know what else to say.”

Peavy, who is slated to start on Tuesday, has felt this anxiety before. He was traded by San Diego to the White Sox at the deadline in 2009, but that experience doesn’t make this time any less tense.

“It is crazy and hectic but it’s what we do,” said Peavy, 8-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 13 games this season. “We’ve seen this happen year in and year out with everybody. I certainly in no way feel sorry for myself. “

Boston and Oakland have reportedly checked in with the White Sox about Peavy, a Cy Young Award winner with the Padres in 2007 whose tenure with Chicago has not gone as well as he or the White Sox hoped. He’s been on the disabled list four times, including this season with a broken rib.

Peavy is prepared in case the last-place White Sox, who had lost nine of 12 heading into the series opener with Cleveland, are able to finalize a deal. He brought extra luggage with him for the seven-game road trip in case he has to pack everything in his locker.

“There are a lot of things in your personal life that hang on this decision, and where you go,” Peavy said. “There a lot more that goes into it than people realize. I have all kind of bags packed. You’re not sure where you’ll be the next day or in the next 24 hours of your life.”

With the deadline looming, the White Sox completed a deal on Monday, sending injured reliever Jesse Crain and cash to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for players to be named or cash. Crain has been on the disabled list with a shoulder strain since July 3, but the Rays are counting on him coming back and helping them during the playoff push.

Peavy said he would not be surprised if any deal he might be involved in went down to the last minute. First-year general manager Rick Hahn has kept the 32-year-old abreast of talks, and Peavy said the two last spoke on Sunday.

“I’m here and except to go out and, unless I hear anything, pitch against Cleveland tomorrow,” Peavy said. “Obviously, there’s stuff being talked about. The coaches and general manager have kept me up to date. As a professional, I’ve got to be ready for the Cleveland Indians tomorrow. I will be. I expect to win. I hear a lot. All I can do as a player is get ready to do what I know is scheduled for me to do and that’s pitch tomorrow night.”

Peavy is under contract through next season, when he’s scheduled to make $14.5 million. He holds an incentive-laden player option for 2015.

Hahn said there’s no rush in trading a player under the team’s control, and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and vice president Kenny Williams are not pressuring him to dump salaries.

“I will say not related to Jake specifically but with any player who’s under contract for future seasons, there certainly is no urgency to make a deal now,” Hahn said on a conference call. “I am not under any marching orders from Jerry or Kenny to cull payroll at this time. It’s more about doing what’s the best baseball deal. Now when you have a situation like Jesse’s, where he’s a free agent at the end of the year or Matt Thornton, who is likely headed to free agency, the urgency to do something prior to the deadline obviously is a little bit greater.

“But for guys with control into 2014 and beyond, when we make a move or not it’s going to be based upon the talent exchange and whether that makes us better into the future.”

The White Sox traded Thornton to Boston on July 12.

Manager Robin Ventura is assuming he’ll be writing Peavy’s name on the lineup card Tuesday.

“Right now he’s starting,” Ventura said. “I’m going as is until I get told otherwise. That’s the way I look at it.”

Ventura and Hahn have discussed a contingency plan if Peavy is traded prior to Tuesday’s game.

“We’re not going to get caught short, I know that,” Ventura said. “That’s been talked about, just making sure we’re covered in case any of these things come up.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.