San Diego Padres ace, Jake Peavy, is going to be connected to every team with a chance to be a play-off contender in 2009/10. The New York Yankees will be mentioned if only because the team and its P.R. addicted general partner, Hank Steinbrenner, still have fresh memories of losing out on Johan Santana and seeing Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner stick in their rotation for half a season.
Unfortunately, Peavy owns a no-trade clause and has said he won't approve a trade to the American League. Too bad because the Yankees possess young starting pitching and middle infield help the San Diego Padres want. Would Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano be too little? I can't imagine it would.
Joel Sherman of the NY Post runs down some trade rumors in his Sunday Hardball column. Amongst the rumors:
1. The Mets are having a hard time finding a take for 2B Luis Castillo. Kansas City Royal Jose Guillen is a possibility.
2. San Diego Padres' 1B Adrian Gonzalez is what the New York Yankees need at 1B. Padres' GM Kevin Towers puts the kibosh on Sherman's wishful thinking.
3. The Padres are doing heavy background checks on Atlanta Braves CF prospect Jordan Schafer in relation to a Jake Peavy trade. IMO, throw-in 2B Kelly Johnson and SP Jair Jurrjens and a deal will be made.
4. The Philadelphia Phillies are considering letting LF Pat Burrell depart via free agency, replacing him with 3B/OF Greg Dobbs and using the savings to add a SP. IMO, A.J. Burnett would fit nicely between Cole Hamels and Brett Myers. Even Derek Lowe would look good there.
5. The Dodgers may make C Russ Martin available. Right.