The Jake Peavy Debate – The Verdict Is In

May 28, 2009

I want to begin with a big thank you to everyone who has visited us during our kickoff debate, and to everyone who added their comments, either directly on the site, or on our Twitter feed!

I also want to say thank you to Sports Geek and Loyal Homer for ensuring our inaugural debate was one worth checking out (and one worthy of being the first debate)!

And now, the Verdict is in.

Allow me to be the first to congratulate the winner of the inaugural Sports Debate…

SPORTS GEEK!!!

To recap, Jake Peavy recently made a decision to block a trade that would send him from San Diego over to the American League with the Chicago White Sox. While he has publicly given some explanation behind his decision, many people are still questioning what his real motivation was, and also whether or not he made the right choice.

Both sides made very convincing arguments. Loyal Homer, arguing that Peavy made the wrong choice, started the debate off strong when he pointed out that Peavy had expressed a desire to play for a contender, and then posed his position that the Padres were certainly not in a position of contention. Loyal Homer raised valid points regarding the White Sox and the fact that they have a legitimate opportunity to compete for the AL Central Title. He criticized Peavy for then passing on opportunities to play in Atlanta and Chicago for both the Cubs and the White Sox. Ultimately, he said Peavy is a Prima Donna, and that he would regret his decision to remain in San Diego.

In response, Sports Geek, arguing that Peavy made the right decision, called into question the White Sox ability to really compete for the World Series. His notes on some recent injuries, as well as some pitching and hitting problems for the ChiSox raised some questions about whether or not Chicago really would be a good place for Jake to call home. In his final comments, Sports Geek concluded by considering Peavy’s trade value, and a lack of any compelling reason for him to go to Chicago.

There was one more point raised, though, which I felt really cut to the heart of this debate, and ultimately which tipped the scales in favor of the Sports Geek. That was the point he raised regarding the present AND FUTURE trade value of Jake Peavy. With 10 weeks remaining until the trade deadline, Peavy still has plenty of time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. While the White Sox may be a contender right now, a lot can happen over a 10-week period.

That point, raised by Sports Geek during his initial comments, ultimately carried the day, and earned him the first victory in TSD! Congratulations Sports Geek!

WHILE THE FINAL VERDICT IS IN, THE DEBATE DOESN’T HAVE TO END…

Visit our Overtime blog for follow-up commentary by our contributors. See their reactions to the judge’s verdict, and weigh in yourself with more thoughts on the Peavy Trade, as well as your own reactions to the judge’s decision.

Once again, I want to thank you all for making our launch a successful one. Make sure to stop by later today and find out what our next debate will be! Also, don’t forget to subscribe to TSD’s RSS feed (it’s free), and make sure to follow us on Twitter!

2 Comments | The Jake Peavy Debate May 09 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Jake Peavy Debate – He’s Not A Prima Donna, He’s Right

May 27, 2009

At a time when most geek’s everywhere are “having a moment” due to the fact that the new 2010 Madden Player ratings are out, I’m pulled back into this debate about Jake Peavy rightly spurning the White Sox trade proposal.

I can see the tendency to make the debate about Peavy being a prima donna, Loyal Homer. In fact, it seems that the very topic of a player exercising their rightfully earned no trade clause is your Pet Peavy (yes folks, I write my own jokes).

But, if you want to argue Peavy is a prima donna, what would you have him do when put in this precarious situation by his employer? Accept the trade terms that his idiot organization agreed to (when his trade value is lowest), and find himself in a situation not to his liking, while simultaneously having slammed the door on a possible return to San Diego? That doesn’t sound too smart for a pitcher that is smart.

So, let’s bring the debate back to the original topic our esteemed judge will deliver a verdict on: Jake Peavy should not have accepted the trade to the White Sox. It’s not a referendum on every historical Peavy trade possibility; it’s a debate about this specific trade. a trade whose outcome we all know for certain Peavy had 100% control over.

Jake Peavy has no compelling reason to go to the White Sox. He has no desire to play there. He’s mentioned the teams he would be willing to waive his no trade clause for, and various circumstances other than Jake Peavy’s opinion have prevented those trades from getting consummated (see the pending Chicago Cubs sale, for one). This trade proposal with the White Sox is the first one with an outcome we all know for certain Peavy had 100% control over with his well-earned no trade clause. I’m all for having a debate about the merits of the no-trade clause (comments, please?) but that’s for another time.

Also, unless Seezy is a die-hard Padres fan, I think it’s safe to say that casual fans can name other Padres.

None of your argument acknowledges the facts of the situation. The current Padres offer him a chance at success (and continued large contracts, though not with the Padres, it seems) because Petco Park plays to the pitcher’s advantage. Why leave a situation where the closer, Heath Bell, was good enough to oust shoe-in Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman? Why leave a park notorious for preventing homers? Why forgo control of your contract for a situation with another team where you don’t have control? Answer my rhetorical questions!!

Loyal Homer said, “the Padres obviously don’t want…” Jake Peavy. I completely disagree with that notion. It’s not that they don’t want him, it’s that they can’t afford to keep him. For this trade with the White Sox, Peavy had control and killed the trade because he doesn’t see the White Sox as a contender – and he’s right.

The judge’s verdict is next! Leave some comments to sway his opinion!

1 Comment | The Jake Peavy Debate May 09 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sports Geek

The Jake Peavy Debate – He’s a Prima Donna

May 27, 2009

Is it just me, or is Jake Peavy starting to gain the reputation of being a prima donna? Yes, I know he has a no-trade clause in his contract, and I know he has it in there for a reason – it’s to prevent the Padres from trading him to a team like the Nationals.

But, the White Sox are at least the third team that has tried to acquire Peavy. First, the Braves tried to acquire Peavy by trading Yunel Escobar and prospects to the Padres. Peavy privately told friends he no longer wanted to go to Atlanta. This, is after stating in the past that he would love to play for the Braves, as pointed out by Seezy in a comment on my previous post.

After that trade fell through, a proposed trade with the Cubs never materialized. This past winter, it seemed like everyday we would turn on our television or log on to our computer and read about the ‘Chronicles of Jake Peavy’. “Where will Jake go? Atlanta? Chicago? New York? Stay in San Diego?” It was like a mini-Brett Favre saga for much of the winter!

Now, he vetoes a trade to the White Sox. He says he just felt the timing wasn’t right. He wants to stay in San Diego right now. Blah blah blah! But, hasn’t he been saying all along that he wants to play for a contender and win a championship? Is San Diego that place? Let’s not kid ourselves, folks!

Despite the recent 10-game winning streak, the Padres are not a serious threat in the National League, or in the NL West, for that matter. Outside of Adrian Gonzalez, how many players of value are on that team? How many players on the Padres can the average baseball fan name? Trevor Hoffman? No sir, he is in Milwaukee. Greg Maddux? He is retired and in the midst of having his jersey retired by two other teams this year. Tony Gwynn? Sorry, where have you been the past decade? He retired years ago and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2007. He is now actually coaching the San Diego State Aztecs. In fact, they are actually playing in the NCAA regionals this weekend.

How many times in the past have we heard athletes say, “All I want to do is win” or ‘It’s not about me. It’s about the team.” Well, this time, Jake, it is all about you! The Padres obviously don’t want you and are trying to rebuild, but they can’t do that with you putting the brakes on every trade they manufacture!

12 Comments | The Jake Peavy Debate May 09 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Loyal Homer

The Jake Peavy Debate – A Smart Pitcher Makes Right Call

May 26, 2009

Jake Peavy is a smart pitcher. Take, for example, that he’s a pitcher, not a thrower. You need to be athletic to throw, but smart to pitch. Good pitching comes down to decision-making – like his smart decision to avoid leaving the Padres for a team like the White Sox.

Let’s examine the Pale Hose as an organization right now. Sure, it’s tough to count anyone out in the AL Central right now. But, luck (like youth) isn’t on the White Sox side right now. Carlos Quentin just felt something pop in his foot, Jermaine Dye is in a contract year (and the Sox aren’t likely to resign him), the young hitting is inconsistent, in fact the entire lineup is inconsistent, and the bullpen is mediocre (with Jenks having blown 2 of his 13 chances this year. And, his beard is ugly). Oh, and he’s spent his entire career in the NL. Why, in the midst of a 10-game winning streak for the suddenly competent Padres, would he want to so dramatically change his situation? It’s simple – he doesn’t.

This was another bold attempt by Ken Williams to make a splash, without considering if he could actually pull it off. The bold move put Peavy in an awkward situation where he is publically forced to choose between the team he’s called home for 8 years and a new, unfamiliar, uncertain circumstance. It’s hard to understand how you can argue to accept the trade on these terms! If Peavy goes to the Sox, he is publically vilified for all eternity (see Jim Thome and Northeast Ohio). If he stays, he’s considered loyal (for now). For me, it’s neither – he’s prudent.

Would this trade have made business sense? No. Why would Peavy say yes to a trade 10-weeks before the trade deadline? If he wants to go to a contender, have all of the contenders started to separate themselves at this point in the season? Uh, no. Not even close. Plus, the closer he gets to the trade deadline pitching in those ugly camo-green Padre uniforms, the higher his value skyrockets.

Okay, now, does this trade make baseball sense for Peavy? No – he’s pitching in a park that is a pitcher’s paradise. It’s 402 feet to the power allies in right and left field. His closer, Heath Bell, has a 0.47 ERA and is 13 for 13 in save chances as the marquee talent in a solid bullpen. That guarantees a win for him if he goes 8 innings.

Not only all of that, but this is right in line with Padres history. Brian Giles turned down a different shade of sock last year, and back in the Padres hey-day (hey, that rhymes) the great Phil Nevin spurned trades to the Reds and Orioles respectively. What does all of that mean? Probably that living in San Diego, in that beautiful, pitcher-stat-padding park, is a good thing for Peavy.

For now.

1 Comment | The Jake Peavy Debate May 09 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sports Geek

The Jake Peavy Debate – Declining the Trade was a Mistake

May 26, 2009

Late last Thursday, San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy vetoed a potential trade that would have sent him to the Chicago White Sox. Is this a mistake? Should have he accepted the trade? The Loyal Homer says yes!

Peavy has been saying for months that he wants to be traded to a contender. Not only does he want to play for a team that will contend this year, but for a team that will be contending for years to come. Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has stated that he feels that Peavy is not wearing a Brave uniform this year because Peavy felt the Braves were not likely to be a contender in 2009 and beyond.

The White Sox entered Tuesday’s action at 20-24 and 5.5 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central. With Peavy, the White Sox truly felt they could make a push towards the top. Nobody expects the Tigers to continue their recent hot play. By most accounts, that division is still up for grabs. With Peavy in the rotation, a decent White Sox rotation becomes a lot better. Mark Buerhle (6-1 with a 2.59 ERA) is pitching like he did earlier this decade. But after that, the rotation is sketchy. Gavin Floyd is hit or miss and it’s been more miss of late. Bartolo Colon has 13 wins since his 21 win season in 2005. John Danks is a 3rd starter at best. And Jose Contreras is currently in the minor leagues. With Peavy, the White Sox have two aces in Buerhle and Peavy.

The offense is underachieving slightly but they have the talent to turn it around. Paul Konerko is having somewhat of a bounce back year. Carlos Quentin isn’t hitting for average but is still showing some pop. When healthy, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome are still legitimate power threats. Alexei Ramirez got off to a terrible start, but he is showing signs of life, having improved his batting average 30 points in the past two weeks. Nowhere to go but up for Ramirez.

If Peavy really wants to go to a contender, then I think he missed the boat on this one. He could live to regret it.

3 Comments | The Jake Peavy Debate May 09 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Loyal Homer

The Jake Peavy Debate – Judge’s Intro

May 26, 2009

After months of planning, preparation, and slacking off at our real jobs, it’s finally time to kick off the inaugural matchup of “The Sports Debates!”

I am the Bleacher Fan, and it is my esteemed privilege and honor to be your host and guide as we launch the maiden voyage of this beautiful vessel of information sharing, which I will affectionately refer to henceforth as “TSD.”

There are a lot of celebrities on hand ringside for tonight’s main event, which is about to get underway. So, without any further ado (I always wanted to say that!!!), it is my pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time ever…

THIS WEEK’S SPORTS DEBATE!!!!

The Chicago White Sox have been working very diligently in recent weeks to try and add to their roster some talent which they feel will make them a contender for the 2009 World Series. Much of that effort has been spent in negotiations with the San Diego Padres, in an effort to bring the 2007 NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy over to their organization.

Despite those efforts, it appears that the White Sox and Padres will not be able to finalize the deal. Jake Peavy has made the decision not to waive his no-trade clause, thereby blocking the trade, and ensuring that he stays in San Diego (for now).

For this first debate, I will be asking my esteemed colleagues – Sports Geek and Loyal Homer – to consider the situation and weigh in on why Peavy should or should not have accepted this trade.

Loyal Homer will be arguing the position that Peavy should have accepted the trade, while Sports Geek will be arguing the position that he should not have accepted the trade.

Following a coin-toss to determine honors for this debate, it was decided that Loyal Homer would start things off.

After the Loyal Homer provides his initial position in this debate, the Sports Geek will then provide a response/position statement. Once both sides have made their initial arguments, each will be given one additional opportunity to argue for their position. Upon completion of the second round of debate, I, as judge for this first contest, will weigh in with my final verdict as to who the winner will be.

I will also act as moderator throughout this first debate to ensure that all arguments remain on topic.

Now that the formalities have been dispensed, there is nothing left for us but to sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle that is…

THE SPORTS DEBATES!!!!

1 Comment | The Jake Peavy Debate May 09 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Bleacher Fan

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