That forgone conclusion that Jake Peavy was going to be traded to the Braves? It's not so forgone anymore. And that list that Peavy gave to the Padres that didn't include the Yankees or any other AL team? That list just made room for the Yankees ... plus one more AL team.
Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod, said in a recent interview with SI.com that his client has some good feelings about the Yankees. "What kid doesn't grow up dreaming of wearing the pinstripes?" Axelrod said. Yet, for geographic reasons the Yankees remain below the five NL teams on Peavy's list, and perhaps also the Angels, who have a distinct advantage in that they are the nearest team to Peavy's new home in San Diego.
According to (GM Kevin) Towers, Peavy has put the teams in some sort of order. But the GM declined to reveal that order.
Towers has done a lot of talking to the Braves, but without a deal in sight, is beginning to talk to the other NL teams now, and doesn't rule out the Dodgers based on their intra-division rivalry. "The Dodgers are high on his list, so I plan on talking to them," Towers said.
Rule one of negotiation: Whether it be to get more prospects from other teams, or drive up the price for your new contract, always include the Yankees. Jake Peavy and the Padres have learned that. The bigger surprise than the Yankees being on the list is that the Dodgers, division and SoCal rivals, are so high on that list. For a city that's traded away many top athletes, losing Peavy to the Dodgers would be the latest tough pill to swallow for San Diego.
Jake Peavy Puts the AL in Play originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
