Yanks Still An Option For Peavy?

From the North County Times:

Peavy is gone, Padres fans. Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

It could happen this week if the Padres’ Kevin Towers finds a trade partner at the general managers meetings in Dana Point.

While the Yankees aren’t in Peavy’s preferred National League, the idea isn’t completely wacky.

“Playing with (Derek) Jeter, playing for the pinstripes,” Towers said, the idea rumbling around to give him a New York state of mind. “It’s down the list; he wants to stay in the National League.

“But if that doesn’t work out, we maybe go back to them and ask them if they would consider New York.”

The Yankees possess two things that the Padres seek: money and prospects. If the Steinbrenners give Peavy some green, and send some green players to San Diego, who knows?

“It’s probably the only American League team Jake would consider. He talks with Derek Jeter all the time,” the Encinitas-based Axelrod said. “He said to me at one point, ‘Gosh, every kid growing up dreams about the pinstripes.’ “

Even an Alabama native accustomed to the sleepy backcountry instead of a city that never sleeps?

“He wouldn’t even be intimidated by pitching in Yankee Stadium —- he is not Ed Whitson,” Axelrod said. “He would go back there and face up to the challenge and the fans would love him, even though he is a country boy. They would love that competitiveness.”

Does anyone get the distinct feeling that the Padres WANT to send Peavy to New York (and Peavy’s agent is talking it up, in case it does happen)? Based on Kevin Towers’ statement (e.g. “consider New York”), it seems rather clear that he would like to trade with the Yankees. However, Peavy is obviously being difficult since he has a no-trade clause and is hoping that Towers can, instead, deal him to one of his preferred locations (Houston, Chicago, etc.). If you don’t believe me or need some more proof, here’s Ken Rosenthal, from FOX Sports, citing a similar perception.

Towers will open the discussions to other teams — specifically the Yankees — only if he can demonstrate to Peavy that he made a good-faith effort with the pitcher’s selected teams first.

Essentially, Towers is biding his time and is honoring Peavy’s preferences. If things don’t work out with those preferences though, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Peavy to NY rumors really start to fly. Towers has an obvious affinity for whatever it is that the Yankees are offering, so much so that he said he’d go back to Peavy and ask him to consider the Bronx if all other options failed. I know a lot of fans don’t see this as a legitimate possibility, but, judging from these articles and subsequent statements, I do think that the Brian Cashman could, in fact, surprise us.

My biggest concern isn’t necessarily Peavy’s health (elbow problems), or his apparent displeasure with NY City, or even his max-effort style (although these are all points of concern). Instead, what I’m really wondering is who is Cashman offering, exactly? Phil Hughes could be the centerpiece and I don’t know if I’d agree with moving him (not for Peavy, anyway). If the Yankees do end up being the main suitor for Peavy, don’t expect it to be anytime soon, though. Towers will have to go through the NL first.