San Diego Padres Rumors: A Jake Peavy Return?

Could the San Diego Padres be shopping Jake Peavy? Reports indicate that they could be, which is very revealing as to how dedicated the organization is to improving the pitching staff.

Sources say that the San Diego Padres have had discussions with free agent right-hander Jake Peavy. A former Padre himself, spending from 2002 all the way into 2009 with the club, Peavy won the National League Cy Young Award in 2007, and was selected to the NL’s All-Star team in 2005 and 2007.

Peavy also led the league in ERA in both 2004 and 2007. During his extended stint in San Diego, the right-hander established himself as one of baseball’s best young arms.

Now 35, Peavy is apparently considering a return to where it all began for him. Coming off of a rough 2016 in which the Mobile, Alabama native posted a 5.76 ERA, moving to a team in need of a player exactly like him is a good move for Peavy.

A career involving brief tenures with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, Peavy then went on to contribute to a world champion San Francisco Giants team in 2014. Now, it is clear that the right-hander is in decline. Over the past three seasons, Peavy’s ERA has increased, and he has pitched less innings.

No longer capable of blowing a high 90s fastball by hitters, the 15 year veteran most certainly won’t make the $15 million he made in 2016. However, his value is still high due to his experience as a top of the rotation starter. For the Padres, this is a player they desperately need.

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Re-signing left-hander Clayton Richard was certainly a step in the right direction, as was acquiring another possible starter in Jhoulys Chacin.

But the bottom line is, the only other two starters currently on the roster with experience are Christian Friedrich and Luis Perdomo. With free agents Tyson Ross and Edwin Jackson unlikely to return, a pitcher San Diego is not comfortable starting will be thrust into starting 20% of the team’s games. Rounding out the rotation with an addition of Peavy would make an otherwise bleak situation look very promising all of a sudden. After all, the rotation is the most important part of a ball club.

Next: Clayton Richard Signed to one-year Deal

Peavy has not been directly linked with the Padres, but his future is very uncertain. This makes a move like this very possible for a Padres team still clearly seeking starting pitching. If Preller can pull this one off, even more faith will be restored in this organization’s front office.

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