No Surprise, Peavy Rejects Trade to Chicago

After all the talk throughout the day, Padres' ace Jake Peavy has decided not to waive his no-trade clause and will remain with the San Diego Padres, according to those close to the Peavy camp.

Early Thursday morning, news broke that the Padres were in talks with the Chicago White Sox about sending Peavy to Chicago for four pitching prospects, two of them were among the top prospects in the White Sox farm system. Rumors flew, the airwaves in San Diego and Chicago blew up about the possible trade and what Peavy might say. Would he waive his no-trade clause and go to Chicago or would he veto the trade and stay put in San Diego?

As the late morning turned into late afternoon, there were quotes that came out from Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod, stating Peavy would much rather be moved to another National League team and would prefer not to pitch in the American League.

Peavy might have thought hard about going to Chicago because he called former teammate Scott Linebrink, a current reliever for the White Sox, and asked about the team and playing in Chicago.

"I did have a chance to talk to him yesterday," Linebrink told the Chicago Sun-Times. "He just had some questions about the team over here, and I was encouraged by Kenny to go ahead and talk to him and answer any questions he had. Of course I answered all his questions, but when it comes down to it, it's his decision."

So after talking it over with Linebrink and, I'm sure, multiple discussions with his family, Jake decided it wasn't time to move on with his career and informed the Padres' front office that he would not waive his no-trade clause to be traded to the Chicago White Sox.

Instead, Jake will make the start for the San Diego Padres on Friday night against another team he was almost traded to, the Chicago Cubs. After a dominant complete game outing against the Cincinnati Reds this past Monday, he'll look to keep the Padres on the winning side of things after the team won their sixth straight on Thursday night.

The Padres, though they weren't able to move Peavy, did make a trade prior to their game on Thursday night against the Giants. They brought the Tony Gwynn Jr back to San Diego, trading Jody Gerut to Milwaukee for the son of arguably the most famous Padre of all time, that of course being THE Tony Gwynn. Gwynn was expected to be in uniform against the Giants but there was no indication whether he was going to get the start or come off the bench.

For now, the trade winds have halted but in the back of Peavy's mind, the winds will start blowing again. It's just a matter of time.

Could Jake Peavy be Headed to the White Sox?

12:05pm CST

According to ESPN News Services, Barry Axelrod the agent for Jake Peavy, doubts that Peavy is going to sign off on the proposed trade between the Padres and White Sox.

Axelrod apparently talked to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and told him that Peavy has a "strong preference" to stay in the National League.

Sounds like this deal is slowly dying. Stay tuned....

11:10am CST

Yahoo Sports' Gordon Edes has an update on this story. The White Sox are set to send four pitching prospects to San Diego, two of which are their top pitching prospects. Here are the names coming back. However, Jake Peavy has still not ok'd the trade, so this is just a rumor until he does.

Aaron Poreda *
Clayton Richard *
Tyler Flowers
Jordan Danks

* - top White Sox pitching prospects

10:23am CST

Padres' beat writer Corey Brock has an update on a few players possibly coming back from Chicago.

10:10am CST

Jon Heyman of SI.com says the two sides have agreed to a deal but they are awaiting approval from Jake Peavy himself.

Stay tuned....

8:47am CST
According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, there apparently is a potential deal being discussed between the San Diego Padres and, no not the Chicago Cubs, but the Chicago White Sox.

There's no indication what players would be coming back from the White Sox, but there are a few stumbling blocks that could bring this deal to a screatching halt. First, Peavy has a no-trade clause in his contact which means he gets to decide where he goes and second, Peavy has made it clear that he wants to stay in San Diego or at the least in the National League.

Keep an eye on this story, because if this deal is in the works it comes at a very interesting time especially with San Diego in the middle of a five game win streak.

Freddy Garcia watch

The Padres are looking for a #5 starter and probably won't find the guy they want from within their own system. Enter former White Sox right-hander, and a guy the Padres' considered in the past, Freddy Garcia.

According to Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post, the Mets are not considering Garcia for the 5th spot in their rotation and he has already made it known that he will not pitch in the minor leagues.

If I'm Kevin Towers, I'm already talking to his agent and gauging what Garcia would ask for at least a 1-year deal and get him into camp ASAP. He's a guy that has had success in Chicago and could very well have success in a place like Petco Park. If he'll take a 1-year $1MM - $2MM deal, I sign him to it now.

Ledezma dominates in Padres' 5-0 win

Though Justin Germano is being looked at as the favorite for the #5 spot in the Padres' rotation, Wil Ledezma just made his case to why he could fill that role just as good.

A few days after Justin Germano looked like a lock for the #5 spot in the Padres rotation, Wil Ledezma showed why he may still be a name worth talking about. The left-hander went 4 shutout innings giving up just 2 hits, striking out 3 and walking 2.

Offensively for San Diego, outfielder Paul McAnulty led off the 6th inning with a solo HR, his 4th of the spring. Tony Clark went 2-for-3 with a single and an RBI double, Michael Barrett had a 2-run double today as well in a 1-for-2 day.

For the White Sox, John Danks got the start and was jumped on immediately for 3 runs in the 1st inning, though he would settle down giving up just 1 run in the next 4 1/3 innings though he did strike out 7 Padres in his total 5 1/3 innings of work today.

The Padres will have an off day tomorrow, though several big leaguers are expected to play in a minor league game at the Peoria Sports Complex. Left-hander Randy Wolf will get the start in that game, infielder Edgar Gonzalez will get the start in the infield.