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Jake Peavy remains interested in joining Cubs

Deal might be re-examined after sale of team finalized

By Paul Sullivan | Tribune reporter

March 2, 2009

PEORIA, Ariz. - The Jake Peavy saga began in November and lasted through most of the off-season, leaving Cubs fans wondering if the Padres ace would be in blue pinstripes by Opening Day.

It hasn't happened yet, and there's no indication a Peavy deal ever will be consummated. But there's little doubt he's a wanted man in the Cubs' clubhouse.

"Love to have him," Ryan Theriot said. "That's definitely the type of player you want on your team."

The Cubs are waiting for the Ricketts family to close its purchase of the team before deciding whether to re-explore the possibility of acquiring Peavy. Talks have not resumed since the last day of the winter meetings.

But after throwing three shutout innings against the Cubs in San Diego's 4-2 Cactus League victory Sunday—Peavy's final tuneup before starting for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic—he still sounded like a man who'd readily leave paradise for Wrigley Field.

"Obviously, Chicago was a team that I did have an interest in playing for, and I respect [general manager] Jim Hendry and the organization," he said. "I respect a lot of the players they have and feel like they have a good bunch, and obviously [it's] a great city. [Those] were reasons I identified the Cubs as a team I wanted to be a part of if I had to move on from San Diego.

"Other than doing that, I just let the guys making the decisions make them. I have no idea [what will happen]. I know I'm here and I have to prepare like I'm a San Diego Padre."

But the Peavy-to-the-Cubs rumor won't die a natural death because the Padres still can't afford to keep his $63 million contract. Another rumor making the rounds is that Peavy's boss, San Diego Chief Executive Officer Sandy Alderson, may be in line for a similar role with the Cubs once Tom Ricketts takes control of the team. The Padres are in the process of being sold.

Alderson declined to comment when asked if he'd be interested in running the Cubs if Ricketts buys the team.

Peavy, who turns 28 in May, would give the Cubs five starters who could be considered aces on many staffs. Since making his big-league debut in 2002, Peavy leads all National League pitchers with 1,256 career strikeouts. Peavy also has a 2.95 ERA since 2004—the second lowest of any active pitcher behind Johan Santana's 2.82.

"He's the same guy every time," Theriot said. "He's a bulldog. He's a competitor, has a few legitimate out pitches and can come at you a couple different ways.

"He's not a fun at-bat ever. I think the best way to describe him is his competitiveness: He's into every pitch. Even on outs, he's upset with some of the pitches he's making. You've got to respect that from a pitcher."

psullivan@tribune.com