Trade Market For Young Arms
October 1, 2008, 12:10 pmBuster Olney at ESPN runs through a few possible trade options that would help teams bolster their starting rotation with young and controllable players. Jake Peavy, Matt Cain and Zack Greinke are among the names listed and all three are interesting guys that could entice the Yankees if their initial rotation plans fail. I like Peavy, but his splits are scary at times (in 2008, he had a 1.74 ERA in Petco, a pitcher’s park, whereas on the road, his ERA ballooned to 4.28). Zack Greinke could get a serious look.
Peavy’s ERA+ (which is park and league adjusted) is still 137 this season, which is very good. For those not intiated in ERA+, 100 is average, higher is better. He seems pretty durable, averagine 200IP the last 4 seasons. Is under contract for a few more seasons. And is still young, as he doesn’t turn 28 until a couple months into next season.
So, depending on the package it would take (I fear the fathers would be demanding either Jesus the catcher or AJax included in any deal for Peavy), it would be a very good move to trade for the 4 prime years of a very good pitcher.
If they can land Peavy, they’ll have to go for it.
He’s a cost effective solution signed under market value.