Rosenthal's Latest: Peavy Suitors, Lowe, Cardinals, Marlins

I really hope the Braves can make this happen without giving up Escobar. As much as we need a frontline starter, Escobar is a budding star who will play every day not just every five games.

all i can say is i hope wren doesnt make the same bad desision shuerholtz did in his last year as gm in over payying and giving them esco and top line prospects, that cud cripple the braves...

I think that with Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina up in the air, the Yankees absolutely would be interested in Peavy. The only locks for their rotation right now are Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. Granted, they will pursue names like Derek Lowe, C.C. Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett, and I'd be surprised if they don't bring on one of those three.

However, their rotation is a big question mark, and included Sidney Ponson for a large portion of 2008. I think adding an ace of Peavy's caliber who is well below the market average is definitely something the Yankees would be interested in pursuing.

Granted, I don't see Peavy ending up in the American League, and I still think Atlanta is the most likely place, but I can see where the Yankees would like the idea.

Instead of having to shell out $200MM plus to sign Sabathia and Burnett, for example, they could get five years of Peavy and only sign one of the two, saving them a great deal of money.

I don't see it happening, but I do see the logic behind it from New York's point of view. Honestly, what team wouldn't love to have Jake Peavy in its rotation?

I think the Padres will get more from the Atlanta Braves than the Texiera deal because the Braves could have Peavy for 3 years and then trade him for prospects not just the 11/2 years with Texeria. Padres should get at least 2 of the braves star prospects: Heyward, Hanson, Schafer, Escobar,etc. as well as a Rohrbough or a Johnson

I think that's a horrible deal for the Sox. It sacrfices the future of the pen, downgrades center, and mean relying on Lugo.

Red Sox fans have been down on Ellsbury ever since his first slump. His speed is added an element to the Sox lineup that hasn't been there in years. The kid is young, needs to learn discipline. He still could be the next Kenny Lofton which is something Boston needs. As for Masterson, I see him being to Boston what early in his career Lowe was. A lot has been made out of Masterson's opponent batting average this postseason, but you have to admit, the kid seems to have a knack for getting out of trouble and who else than a sinkerballer would you trust to get a double play.

The truth is if Boston makes a bid for Peavy, it'll be more likely to up the price to make sure he doesn't end up in New York.

SuperChargers...dont expect that deal to happen

what if Peavy AND Greene for

Ellisbury, Lowrie, Masterson(Clay Buckholtz)

Of course you would, but you almost certainly won't get the prospects you named from the Braves so it's a moot point.

SuperChargers... you may be in for some dissapointment dude. You have been throwing around some fairly outlandish trade proposals.

The point has been made over and over that the Padres do not have to trade Peavy. Point taken... however they would really like to trade Peavy. What many of you dont seem to understand is that the Braves, or any other team for that matter do not have to trade FOR Peavy. If Towers wants any where near as much as some of the people on here think then Jake Peavy may be a Padre for a lot longer than expected.

I wouldn't touch what's not broken if I was Theo Epstein. Boston was also involved in rumors for Santana and that has suited them well in the end. They have all three of those guys under control for quite a few years at a cheap rate and their starting pitching is excellent with Dice-K, Lester, and a not 100% but still effective Beckett at the top. If Buchholz actually pans out and they could pick up a minor starter for the bottom of the rotation, they should be fine.

Lowrie is a more than sufficient shortstop at this point (what are they going to do, make Lugo start again?), Masterson has been a good set-up man for Papelbon, and Ellsbury, while not spectacular, still hasn't reached his potential yet. This team is one win away from the World Series - I wouldn't mess with this SUCCESSFUL youth movement that has separated them altogether from the Yankees in that it has actually worked so far.

Here's what the Dbacks traded for Haren with their BP prospect ranking in brackets:

Carlos Gonzalez (26)
Brett Anderson (50)
Chris Carter (99)
Aaron Cunningham (7 for Oakland)
Greg Smith (13 for Oakland)
Dana Eveland (ineligible he as was 25)

And in the article you have a general manager saying Peavy will cost less.

What are you talking about, RJ? The Yankees have one of the strongest farms systems in the game contrary to popular belief. Just because they have the huge stars at most positions, doesn't mean they don't have a farm system.

chipperowns10, that's the kind of deal that will be needed to get it done...if the Braves are able to get a power hitting LF like they want, they can put Blanco in CF in 2009 and they'll still have Gorkys waiting in the wings. I would almost guarantee that the Padres will want one of either Johnson and Escobar AND Hanson/Heyward to get this deal done...I like Kelly, but I'd rather see him traded than Yunel because I'd have more faith in his replacement and I'd have no interest in the Braves acquiring Khalil Greene. If giving up Flowers keeps Johnson in Atlanta, I'm all for it, but I think the deal I proposed is at least a starting point and the Padres may want more...4 or 5 years of Peavy is going to take a lot, considering the Padres do not have to trade him...

bravesfansc, Mark Bowman isn't always that great either...most experts aren't even close on World Series picks...most of them can't even pick the playoff series when the teams are set. I've seen more idiotic things posted on mlb.com (and braves.com) than most other Braves sources...Rosenthal is one of the better ones...most would agree.

boswa i understand that the padres me only settle for a kj/esco + one of hanson,shaefer,heyward + a lil more but what im saying is i would not like to see that deal be made and i really dont think wren wud pull the trigger on ur hanson, shaefer, kj, + more packagge thats jus too much to give up

my biggest prob is if we trade esco we have absoluetly no one to play ss. lilli wont cut it and greene no way we wud have to suffer with lilli hittin 200 or sign edgar back. the absolute highest i would go wud be kj, shaefer, morton. Hanson,heyward, and esco would be off limits...

ArodSucksatLife

Go F@#K Youself. If the Yankees are as smart as you than they'll be in trouble. They'll probably blow their farm system for an ace who they could get in free agency.

If Braves fans want 4 or 5 years of Jake Peavy, you have to realize it's going to take a fair amount of talent. I don't want to trade Escobar, but if you say that Heyward AND Hanson are untouchable, then that leaves Wren without Peavy and he can fight with all the other suitors for the likes of Sabathia, Lowe and the like...if the Braves want to get better now, which Wren has said he wants to do, they are going to have to give up some prospects to get talented players...if Towers' price is too high, fine, but don't complain then when he pitches a gem against the Braves wearing a Cardinals or Astros jersey...

Boswa73

I'm not saying Peavy isn't worth a certain amount of talent, but Wren is not in a position where he is expected make this trade happen. I realize Peavy is a quality ace, but at the same time he isn't worth the farm either imo. There's no question that guys like Heyward, Schafer and Hanson are not sure things. However, who's to say that Peavy doesn't end up having elbow soreness preventing him from pitching for an extended period of time. I'm just saying Wren should not try to rush this trade and instead be a little cautious and not give in to Tower's demands.

And it not like my offer was a silly one like some of the others I've read. Teheran and Hernandez are legit prospects and Reyes/Morton has upside.

But if it does take a top pitching prospect like Hanson, then no way would I add in Schafer as well. FW should make Hernandez or Johnson as options for their second best piece of the deal. After that, throw in a lower level pitching prospect like Locke or Medlin, then add in Lillibridge or B. Jones and either Morton or Reyes. That right there is a fair package, not an overwhelming one but a far amount imo.

this is what I think might happen. They resign Furcal. Try to trade for peavy, hoping not to get another mess up like Kevin brown or Jason schmidt, becasue I dont think peavy did that well after he got hurt. and if they do get Peavy they resign Lowe and Try to sign Manny while letting go of Penny and trading away pierre.

Or they dont get peavy and they let go of lowe and penny
and try to sign CC and and sign furcal and sign manny
becasue I think mcdonnald will be in the rotation showing what he can do in the playoffs

i hope some team wastes their farm on Peavy. im a cards fan and both playoff games the "ace" started, we busted his ass. I read about the cards thinking about giving up Rasmus, Molina and Duncan/Ankiel/Lud... I would be pissed

The Braves absolutely should NOT trade for Peavy if it involves Jason Heyward, Tommy Hanson, OR Yunel Escobar. My reasons are many:

1. Peavy has had two recent stints on the DL for an "elbow strain". What exactly does that mean?

2. Peavy's home/away splits are not that great. He is an ace in Petco park but would he be if he played somewhere else.

3. The Braves are a BAD team with or without Peavy. They have a LOT of needs - at least two starting pitchers plus two starting outfielders (sorry but Blanco and Josh Anderson are NOT every day starting outfielders). The Braves are at least 2 years away from being a really good team - why not wait for the home grown talent to develop rather than wasting it on one player?

4. Starting shortstop is one of the harder positions to fill and we have a VERY good young shortstop. DO NOT include him in on this trade. Neither Brent Lilibridge nor Khalil Greene would be suitable replacements.

5. Jason Heyward is one of the top 10 prospects in baseball. He should NOT be traded. He is the future power hitting outfielder that the Braves have not had in years.

6. Tommy Hanson is a future ace of the team. Why trade a future ace for one whose best days could very well be behind him?

Mr. Wren, please don't mortgage the future of this team for one player who only plays every 5 days!!!!

RedSoxDynasty

Anger management, good one. I guess when people call you a dumb ass you take it like a bitch dont you.

ArodSucksatLife

Funny how? You're the one that started this crap, I didnt call you a dumbass. Im right anyway. The Yankees already have a weak farm system with positon players. Trading away there best ones would be dumb.

Bravesalltheway, i agree and disagree with your post.

First off, i agree if SD wants Escobar, Haywood or Hanson in return for peavy, its NO DEAL. Even if they offer Greene with Peavy its still not worth it. Greene his .221 this past year. He's more of a liability to Atlanta then a Plus.

Here's where i disagree with you: IF atlanta would get peavy, and then add someone like Garland, Wolfe, Lowe, Dempster, Etc. we would be right back in the east race. The Phillies are good but the Mets will be a no-factor next year. Very old team and possibly the worst bullpen in the NL with no wagner.
Add a power hitting outfielder (anyone from dunn to Dye to juan rivera) and we'll be fine.

And for Blanco and Anderson, they are ready. Blanco just finished his 1st ML season and Anderson plays well everytime he starts.

The x-factor for the next season will be 3 guys.

Jeff Francouer,
Jorge Campillo &
Peter Moylan

IF Francoeur returns to normal form, our lineup will be set as long as we add an above average hitting OF.

Campillo will be important to round out the rotation. Atlanta WILL sign atleast one #1 or #2 pitcher (I would prefer Peavy) and then add in a guy (like i said Garland, Lowe, etc). Lets say we get Peavy and Garland (Combined approx. $20million in 09) then we have a rotation of Peavy, Jurrjens, Garland, CAMPILLO and then a filler (or Hudson when he gets back). That would be very formidable as long as Campillo can bring in 9-11 wins.

If healthy, Moylan is incredible. He would be a great 8th inning man along with Soriano to get to Gonzo in the 9th. Get a lefty and keep guys like bennett and boyer and we'll be good.

With all of this we would have 15 or 20 million to spend. Add a low level veteran starter or go after a big bat like Dunn or Burrell and i feel very good about Atlanta's chances. Assuming 80% of the team isnt hurt by may like last season.

Phew..thoughts?

Cardinals are signing Peavy!
Chicago Chokes... sorry Cubs.