Jake Peavy eager to pitch in for White Sox

A guy can change his mind, can't he?

Jake Peavy arrived in Chicago on Saturday saying all the right things about playing for the White Sox and manager Ozzie Guillen, pitching in hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field and switching from the National League to the American League.

Peavy admitted a lot had changed since late May when he nixed a deal from the San Diego Padres to the White Sox, exercising his no-trade clause.

There were reports he didn't want to leave his home and family in San Diego, didn't want to play for Guillen or pitch in the American League.

"I just didn't think the timing was right in May," explained Peavy, acquired by the White Sox at Friday's trade deadline. "At the time I thought San Diego was the place to be for me. We were right in the thick of things, had won five or six in a row and eventually ran off 10 in a row. Obviously they're in a different place now than they were then.

"At that time I was content in staying where I was, seeing if we could be competitive in a city and town that I loved. I wanted to be a part of a winning team there. This time around things were different."

The Padres also had made it clear they would attempt to trade Peavy during the off-season.

"Knowing I was going to be on the (trade) blocks again this winter and having to endure another winter like I went through, I just didn't care to do that," Peavy said.

"Chicago is a city that I love and the White Sox are a franchise committed to winning. I'm excited to be here, not only for this year, but for the next three years.

"Obviously I have had mixed emotions over the last 24 hours simply because San Diego has been a place I've known since I was a 17-year-old kid, so leaving the relationships I had there was tough.

"But when I got on a plane this morning, I left those loyalties and obligations in San Diego and have never been more happy to be in a place where they are as committed to winning."

White Sox teammates Scott Linebrink and A.J. Pierzynski talked to Peavy in May about coming to the South Side, but the former Cy Young winner claimed it was discussions he had with general manager Kenny Williams that left the biggest impression.

"The No. 1 reason I'm here are the conversations I've had with Kenny and the way he feels about his franchise and the direction of his team," Peavy said. "The goal these guys have year in and year out is to be world champions like they did in '05."

Peavy doesn't know a lot about the American League or the White Sox, but he vowed that would change.

"The American League is going to be a new league to me," said Peavy, who was on the bench Saturday watching his new teammates play the New York Yankees.

"I don't really watch a whole lot of American League because when you're a starting pitcher in the National League you watch National League baseball because you're always keeping an eye out on those guys you have to get out and how other teams are going after certain guys.

"I can't say I know the American League and this team as well as maybe I should, but I can promise you I will do all my homework."

Peavy isn't worried about making most of his starts in U.S. Cellular Field, a hitter's park, as opposed to cavernous Petco Park in San Diego.

"Wherever you pitch, you've got to make pitches," Peavy said. "Certainly Petco Park was a pitcher's park, but in our division we played in Bank One Ballpark and I made 3 or 4 starts a year in Coors Field. It doesn't matter what park, you need to make pitches to get outs."

As for playing for Guillen, Peavy sees no issues. Even in May he disputed reports Guillen was a factor in his decision to stay in San Diego.

"I think Ozzie has fun and is passionate, and I think anybody who has ever watched me play, that's one thing a lot of people say is how passionate I am," Peavy said. "I do care and I believe Ozzie cares. You can't ask for anything more than a manager who wants to win and will do anything he can possible do to win.

"I'm sure it can be crazy at times but fun, if we do the things we're supposed to do."

But for Peavy and the White Sox, it will be three or four weeks before they can have that fun together. That's how much more time Peavy thinks he needs to rehab the strained tendon in his right ankle that has kept him sidelined since June 13.

"It just got turned up a notch because I'm here in the middle of a pennant race," Peavy said. "Physically, I've been getting better on a daily basis, walking around pain free and running pain free. I have not thrown off a mound, but that's coming in the next day or so.

"I wouldn't be surprised in the next three or four weeks to be back on the field trying to help this team win. I don't see why it couldn't be accomplished in three weeks or so."

When Peavy does make that first start, Linebrink thinks White Sox fans will see something special.

"I know that when he is healthy, he's one of the best in baseball, Linebrink said. "He's a bulldog. He's going to go out there and give you everything he's got. I've seen him do some amazing things out there on the mound."