Sox still in Peavy derby, but Cubs lurk

Jake Peavy has not rejected the White Sox.

According to two sources very close to Peavy, he's just not sure about the deal yet, and wants a week or two to ponder his future.

Peavy did not learn of the possibility until late Wednesday afternoon, and has put the deal on hold, insisting he needs more than 18 hours to decide where he next wants to play.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams has had a trade in place with San Diego since Wednesday, and it's not off the table by any means, but the deal is a long way from done because Peavy has not yet given his approval, and doesn't intend to in the very near future.

But this is a typical Williams move. It's bold, aggressive, and early.

The Sox GM likes to identify his needs and strike before the price goes up.

Well, they have a few areas to be addressed, but none more important than starting pitching, and Peavy is obviously the best available.

If the Sox GM is willing to wait, he may yet land Peavy a week or two from now.

The Padres star is almost certainly going to be traded this summer. It's only a question of when. So why not now, and why not the White Sox?

It might be, but Peavy has a full no-trade clause this year and next, and needs time to make a decision. That's not an unfair request under the circumstances.

You would have thought the contract would be an issue for the Sox, but it turns out it isn't, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf has given his approval.

Sure, the money is big after this season, going to $15 million next year, $16 million in 2011, $17 million in 2012, and $22 million in 2013 (or a $4 million buyout).

But the Sox have some big numbers coming off the books next winter after clearing a huge chunk of payroll last November and December.

Next year, Jim Thome's $13 million will be gone, as will $10 million from Jose Contreras, and $6 million from Octavio Dotel.

Jermaine Dye has a 2010 mutual option for $11.5 million, and after 2010, Paul Konerko's $12 million is finished.

So it's not ridiculous, especially since the Sox would not be giving up a lot and wouldn't be affecting this year's club with what they send to San Diego.

At the same time, Reinsdorf is not averse to the extraordinary, and picking up Peavy would be extraordinary.

Meanwhile in San Diego, the Padres are getting desperate. Their situation is going from worse to horrendous, and the longer the Peavy saga drags on, the less they stand to get for him.

The Sox are actually a perfect fit.

Of course, the Cubs are just as good a fit.

They were tops on Peavy's list and remain his priority, and the Cubs feel the same way.

But with the Cubs ownership situation still unclear, this Peavy situation can't go on for a few more months, maybe not even a few more days.

By then, Peavy could be gone, and for the Sox to steal Peavy right out from under the Cubs' noses would put a huge smile on Reinsdorf's face.

Of course, none of this responsibility is on GM Jim Hendry. Hendry wanted the deal done last November and still wants it done.

It's all a result of Sam Zell dragging his feet on the sale to try to bleed Tom Ricketts for every dollar he can get, while the Cubs operate, essentially, with no owner and little direction.

Hendry hasn't given up and may yet get Peavy, but if he loses out, and especially to the White Sox because the Cubs sale wasn't finalized, you can be sure Cubs fans will never forget this era under Zell's stewardship.

The good news for Cubs fans is Peavy all along has wanted to stay in the National League and his top choice has been the Cubs, ahead of the Dodgers and Braves. He'll also consider the Angels.

But he can't wait forever, and the White Sox and Kenny Williams are poised to pounce.

Williams has made some great steals in his career, but if he pulls this off, it could be his best ever.

brozner@dailyherald.com