Just say "No" to a Peavy Deal

by Champ Summers on Jan 29, 2009 2:18 PM CST Comment 58 comments

Yes, Jake Peavy is a great pitcher.

Yes, the Cubs would have a dominant pitching staff in 2009 with him.

But is he that critical to the team right now? I dont think so.

The Cubs need to win the division first, and they certainly look like the dominant team in the Central Division. I think they'll be heavy favorites to win. So Peavy probably isn't needed to win the divsion.

However, the Cubs real goal is a World Series, and to get one, we have to get through the playoffs. The strategy for getting through the playoffs, or even winning the division, may change significantly if there are some significant injuries (remember 1985?) or other issues that arise during the season.

So doesnt it make sense to keep the powder dry until July, before the trading deadline, so we can sign some key, high salary player from a hopeless team instead of paying up front for a dominant pitcher on what is already the leagues dominant starting staff?

What say you out there in cubdom?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Who is this Jake Peavy you speak of?

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Jan 29, 2009 2:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't he the bad guy in Teen Wolf?

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jan 29, 2009 2:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I say take him if he is available

talent wins,

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jan 29, 2009 2:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Get a leadoff guy first

then see what happens.

Longer Jim waits, the lower the price will become.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 29, 2009 2:28 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

That is not a certainty...the price could go UP.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 29, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it would.

Teams are more desperate at the deadline. Look what Milwaukee paid to get CC.

by Kornchex on Jan 29, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Teams that might not be interested in Peavy now...

could become very interested if they remain in contention and feel that adding a potential ACE to their staff will put them over the top.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 29, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

blackhawk is right

Need a leadoff guy . Not gonna name names though .. B > R>

by CUBFANINAZ on Jan 29, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

B>R>

Bonny Redeno?

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 29, 2009 9:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bip Roberts?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 29, 2009 11:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Billy Ripken

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 30, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ben Roethlisberger

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 30, 2009 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bubby Ray (Dudley)

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 30, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Boo Radley

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 31, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Say Yes

to Hendry’s next move. I have a feeling it will be a shocker and a great move. I do not know what it will be, but I will go out on the limb by saying “greeat move” in advance.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 29, 2009 2:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

So let's see...

…this Fanpost went up at 2:18 PM CST. And the last Peavy Fanpost went up at 6:56 PM CST on Jan. 27. That means we enjoyed about a day and a half of Peavy-free Fanpost space. Oh, what a glorious time it was!

We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 2:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

We can thank Heilman for that

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Jan 29, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

See? He's contributing to the Cubs already.

We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

White Sox

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 29, 2009 2:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pet Peavy

by N Oakley on Jan 29, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 30, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

With Olson and Cedeno gone...

…there’s absolutely no way to get Peavy without trading Josh Vitters. He’s a great pitcher and I’ve love to see him in a Cubs uniform; however, the Cubs are already pretty damn good without him and I think it rather unwise to trade one of the best prospects in baseball for him, especially since there’s not much talent in the farm system as it is.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Jan 29, 2009 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I understand your point, but believe

“absolutely no way” is a little severe. It may require giving up more players, but there is always a way.

by N Oakley on Jan 29, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think there is or was any way

… that the Cubs could get Peavy without giving up Vitters. Cedeno and Olson don’t change the math that much, IMO.

by elgato on Jan 29, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Best prospects in baseball?

I thought that the general sentiment on Vitters was that he could barely crack the top 100. (I may be wrong.) Isn’t Vitters projected to be a poor mans Mark Grace at third with an average range at best? IF that is the case, trade him for Peavy imho.

by Kornchex on Jan 29, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think its bit better than that

by most accounts he should hit for far more power than Grace ever did

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jan 29, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Keith Law says #14 overall

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/1/23/734368/vitters-14-prospect-for-la

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Jan 29, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No

That statement is incorrect. He’s pretty much nothing like Mark Grace. He’s right-handed. He has more power than Grace. He doesn’t draw as many walks as Grace. Grace went to college. Vitters’s a third-baseman. Vitters has some of the best eyesight ever tested for a baseball prospect.

About the only think they have in common is that they are both white, both drafted by the Cubs and both went to high school in Orange County, California.

Anyone comparing Josh Vitters to Mark Grace is incompetent when it comes to prospect evaluation.

by Josh77 on Jan 29, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Dead on

brother. Dead on.

Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.

by TCobb1911 on Jan 29, 2009 7:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Vitters' eyesight really is that good...

… you’d think eventually he’ll draw more walks as he gets older and gets more experience.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 29, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Should be interesting to see...

… from what I’ve read about him, he has a very aggressive approach at the plate (Keith Law mention as much, among other).

Perhaps, given the eyesight, that approach will change somewhat as the pitching he faces improves.

"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens

by bobby h on Jan 30, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Given that Vitters isn't even 20 years old...

… he has time to develop a better approach.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 30, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree.

It seems that the skill set is there for him to be a more selective hitter, but it will be a matter of development.

My thought was that to some extent, thus far, his natural abilities have afforded him the ability to not need to be patient. That will likely change as the pitching he faces gets tougher.

"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens

by bobby h on Jan 30, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope so

But it’s hard to lay off all those pitches that he knows he can hit. But he’ll learn that in the majors, he can’t hit all those pitches. Unless he really is the next Vladimir Guerrero. Then, swing away Josh. Swing away.

by Josh77 on Jan 30, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

eye sight

does not guarantee hand eye cooridnation

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 30, 2009 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Confirmed by your misspelling of the word "coordination."

We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 30, 2009 12:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for pointing that out

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 30, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nor does it

guarantee a “selective” hitting approach.

by socalbob on Jan 30, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope it doesn't

But it’s worth pointing out.

by Josh77 on Jan 30, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good to know.

I wasn’t sure either way. When I was comparing him to Grace, I meant that (I heard) he’s a doubles hitter with maybe 15 home runs a year in him. Glad to know I heard wrong.

by Kornchex on Jan 30, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It is at the point

I do not even read the diary. I go right to the posts in hopes someone will be bitching about another Peavy post.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Jan 29, 2009 3:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think blahblahblahblah

blah blah Peavy blah blah blah Vitters blah blah blah blah not Marhsall blah blah blah blah minor league prospect blah blah blah blah blah blah Cubs new ownership blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Padres payroll blah blah blah blah blah Pie for Olsen for Heilman blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Hendry blah blah blah blah corned beef sandwiches blah blah blah blah blah blah better be part of something bigger blah blah…………………….

ASDHTIOARGNBDKLAGHRIAHNGKLDFG!*

*(sound of face smacking keyboard)

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fuk-U-Meter on Jan 29, 2009 3:45 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

you forgot

Roberts

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 29, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i hear kenny lofton is looking for a job

maybe he can leadoff when dome struggles

by Kchance on Jan 29, 2009 3:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Kenny

was old LAST year.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 29, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He wasn't young in 2003

by N Oakley on Jan 29, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and

can probably out perforn Gathwright

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 30, 2009 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it,

Lofton would go through the windshield like a doe on the interstate in October.

by N Oakley on Jan 30, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, you meant on the diamond.

by N Oakley on Jan 30, 2009 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Diamonds

are a womens best friend

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 30, 2009 4:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, everyone works better with a performance based bonus.

Diamonds are great that way.

by N Oakley on Jan 30, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

to the originator of this thread

[IMG]http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m54/drillbitz03/bunnycake.jpg[/IMG]

You make no sense.

by northernsails on Jan 29, 2009 4:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Peavey!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 29, 2009 4:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Your reasoning

for not getting Peavy, is a great reason you should trade for Peavy.

As we know, you can absolutely never have too much pitching. Its just not possible. So if the Cubs were to miss a offensive leader for a significant amount of time, there is no better thing than having shut down pitching to relieve some pressure off the offense.

Unless the Padres are still expecting a King’s ransom in return, there is not one single reason the Cubs should not make the trade. I truly believe that. Any risk is completely minimized by the tremendous reward of adding a pitcher of his quality.

Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.

by TCobb1911 on Jan 29, 2009 7:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs