Braves closing in on Jake Peavy

As a Mets fan, I am not pleased by this news.

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com, is reporting the Atlanta Braves have offered a four-player package to the San Diego Padres, who will ask Jake Peavy to waive his no-trade clause for the deal to go through.

According to Miller:

Under terms of the deal discussed by the Braves and Padres, San Diego would receive shortstop Yunel Escobar, Class A outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, one of two starting pitchers -- Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes -- and either reliever Blaine Boyer or one of two minor-league left-handers (one of which is believed to be Jeff Locke).

The Braves want an answer by Friday, so the Padres are hard pressed to get Peavy to waive his no-trade clause.

I, obviously, really don't want to see this deal go through. The Braves have a deep enough farm system that this deal will crimp their minor leagues a little, but not put a dent in them like the Johan Santana trade for the Mets.

The Mets, in their endless pursuit to get in on every trade rumor out there, have been cited as inquiring on Peavy, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports:

Others have inserted themselves as well, including the Boston Red Sox and pitching-thin New York Mets.

I can't see it happening, so don't get your hopes up. It'd be great to have a 1-2 punch of Santana and Peavy, but I think the Mets have bigger fish to fry over landing another ace starter.

Would be nice though.

Rumor Rundown: More pitching

The Mets may have found a taker for Aaron Heilman, and they might be able to land a young starter in return. Hold on, let me check my pulse. I may have died and gone to heaven.

Joel Sherman is reporting that the Mets and Tampa Bay Rays have had preliminary discussions about Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson. The Rays seem to fancy Heilman (but would need more than just him to complete the trade).

Sherman:

But Tampa is blessed with depth in Sonnanstine (13-9, 4.38) and Jackson (14-11, 4.42), plus Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot. They have let the Mets know there might be a potential for a deal among that group.

Tampa continues to have interest in Aaron Heilman Aaron Heilman , but not to the extent it had in the past, in part because the Rays' belief that Heilman can be transitioned to the rotation has dwindled. Thus, the Mets would have to surrender more to complete a deal.

Have any use for Luis Castillo?

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The Mets are not on the list of teams that Jake Peavy and his agent are dealing with. Too bad.

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Seems the youth movement may be a forced hand in 2009.

VP Tony Bernazard has stated that if the team cannot land a closer via free agency or a trade, they are willing to go with youth.

From the Daily News:

Bernazard said if the Mets strike out through free agency or trade, they're prepared to potentially use Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz in the closing role.

"Why not? What's wrong with that?" Bernazard asked. "You can't sign one of those guys, what are you going to do - not play?"

It must be noted that in 10 2-3 innings pitched in the Arizona Fall League, Kunz has posted a 8.44 ERA. He has picked up two saves, while allowing 15 hits and 10 earned runs to score. He's walked seven and struck out eight.

Parnell, on the other hand, has thrown 9 1-3 innings, allowed three earned runs on seven hits, for a 2.89 ERA. He's walked seven and struck out 11 batters for Peoria Saguaros.

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Scott Boras wants a lot of money. No surprise here.

Ken Rosenthal notes that the Mets are willing to pay up to $12 million for Oliver Perez, but Boras will likely want more, thanks to Carlos Silva's ridiculous contract.

Jake Peavy may be coming to the NL East

Seems like the Braves are the early leaders in the Jake Peavy trade talks.

According to MLB.com, the Braves are preparing a package of players to pitch to the Padres in return for the 2007 Cy Young winner. Peavy has a no-trade clause, but is said to be open to waiving it to play in Atlanta. Peavy is from Alabama.

A bunch of minor league prospect have been rumored, along with players like Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar.

The Braves seem poised for a good year, as they have a bevy of prospects who are just about major league ready. Watch out for them next season.

I really hope they don't land Peavy. I'd be much happier to see the Yankees trade for the 27-year-old. Obviously, I'd prefer the Mets, but I don't think they have the minor league talent to pull that off.

Jake Peavy being shopped?

I've always been a fan of Jake Peavy. Wouldn't mind seeing him behind Johan Santana.

According to the Union-Tribue out of San Deigo, Padres GM Kevin Towers is already in talks with some teams.

From U-T:

Towers said he has heard from clubs interested in trading for ace pitcher Jake Peavy. “We're having talks,” he said.

The GM said he wouldn't be surprised if the Peavy talks heat up next month.

Obviously, the Mets don't have much to trade out of the minor league system. Maybe a package of Luis Castillo, Aaron Heilman and Nick Evans can swing it (obviously joking).

Still, he won't cost as much as CC Sabathia, but the Mets already have an ace on their staff. I just can't see them adding another front-line starter while the bullpen is still a mess. But hey, you never know.