White Sox offer four pitchers for Peavy
The Chicago White Sox have agreed to ship four pitching prospects, including prized left-handers Aaron Poreda(notes) and Clayton Richard(notes), to the San Diego Padres for ace right-hander Jake Peavy(notes), but the deal is contingent on Peavy's acceptance, a baseball source said Thursday.
Peavy has full no-trade protection, and has indicated a preference to remain in the National League, though he reportedly was willing to make exceptions last winter for the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels.
The White Sox, who have one of the majors' best bullpens but whose rotation has faltered, have not had an ace of Peavy's stature in recent memory, even while winning the World Series in 2005.
Poreda, 22, was the team's No. 1 pick in 2007, chosen 25th overall. The 6-6, 240-pound left-hander throws in the high 90s and has been known to touch 100 mph. Richard, 25, has been compared to a taller (6-5) version of Mark Buehrle(notes).
Poreda is pitching for double-A Birmingham, Ala., and has a 3-4 record with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts. He has 50 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings, and twice has had starts in which he has struck out 10 or more hitters.
Richard, who made his big-league debut last season with the White Sox, was pitching out of the bullpen this season until manager Ozzie Guillen recently gave him two starts after Jose Contreras was sent to the minors. Richard did not have a decision in either start, although he allowed only one earned run in seven innings against Toronto on Monday. Overall he is 0-0 with a 4.33 ERA in 14 appearances.
The White Sox did not include their top position prospect, shortstop Gordon Beckham, in the proposed deal. Chicago is 17-22, 4½ games out of first place, but the addition of Peavy to a rotation that includes Buehrle, struggling young pitchers Gavin Floyd and John Danks and veteran Bartolo Colon would be a huge boost. Contreras, after a strong outing in triple-A Charlotte, also is expected back.
