Jim Hendry can say that trading Mark DeRosa to the Indians for three (mediocre) pitching prospects was made irrespective of any other efforts to acquire Jake Peavy. And he has. But he followed it up with:
”We certainly wouldn’t close the door on anything,” general manager Jim Hendry said when asked about the desire to replace the starting pitcher he might lose in a trade. ”Once we add the outfielder we want to add, we’ll take a good look where we’re at. The pen is getting deeper and deeper. We’ll see how we want to shape up the starting situation, whether we pursue somebody else or use somebody internally in that role.” Sun Times.
So puff as he might, here’s what I know: the Cubs are going after Jake Peavy. Yes, trading DeRosa and Marquis could simply have been about cutting payroll to land Milton Bradley.
But isn’t it awfully coincidental that when trade talks with the Padres broke off in early December, a reported sticking point was the Cubs’ lack of pitching prospects from which the Padres could choose. And now the Cubs trade one of their most valuable, versatile – and attractive to other teams – players for three pitching prospects?
Jim is making his move for Jake Peavy. It may or may not work out, but it’s happening.