Peavy in the rotation? Consider the Sox intrigued

Posted August 03, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

If he comes backs healthy and picks up where he left off, Jake Peavy is going to be a top-of-the-rotation starter for the White Sox, likely even the ace.

No offense to Mark Buehrle, who pitched a perfect game this season and a no-hitter in 2007, but Peavy was that good with the San Diego Padres (92-68, 3.29 ERA) before joining the Sox in Friday's deadline trade.

Paying Peavy a potential $60 million from 2010-13 wasn't easy for the White Sox to sign off on, but even chairman Jerry Reinsdorf couldn't resist a rotation featuring the newcomer, Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks.

"It really sets us up for the future," Reinsdorf said Friday night on WMVP 1000-AM. "That's as good a four starters as you'll see in baseball."

Sox pitching coach Don Cooper welcomes the addition of Peavy as well, but he tempered his enthusiasm a bit since the 28-year-old righty is just beginning a throwing program after being sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury.

"Certainly, for years to come, it looks real good," Cooper said. "But right now, we're not exactly sure when he's going to be able to pitch.

"So my main focus has been on trying to determine who our fifth starter is going to be (Friday against the Cleveland Indians)."

There's a reason Cooper can't afford to allow himself to look too far ahead with Peavy.

After throwing roughly 50 pitches in the bullpen Sunday, the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner said he felt like spring training was just getting started.

A typical spring camp is six weeks, but Peavy is hoping to be ready for a minor-league rehab assignment in mid-August before joining the White Sox' rotation at the end of the month.

"We've got some work to do here," Cooper said. "The sooner we can get him going and get him back pitching for the Chicago White Sox, the better."

Peavy pitched against the Sox in spring training, and manager Ozzie Guillen said he had an "electric slider." Cooper also was impressed by Peavy's Cactus League outing.

"He certainly has real good stuff. He's a Cy Young Award winner and his numbers speak for themselves," Cooper said. "He's been a good, productive pitcher in the National League and now he's coming to us. Hopefully that production can continue and hopefully immediately."

Clayton Richard, one of four young White Sox pitchers sent to the Padres for Peavy, made his first start for San Diego on Saturday and pitched well, allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits in 52/3 innings while getting a no-decision.

Over his last 3 starts, Richard has pitched 212/3 innings and given up just 3 earned runs.

The Peavy trade got a thumbs up from most Sox fans, but a faction voiced displeasure about sending San Diego promising talent such as Richard and Aaron Poreda.

"It's always hard to see guys go, but you realize real quick that this is all part of it," Cooper said.

"Poreda and (Adam) Russell were here, but the relationship to me that was the strongest because there was more time and more stuff done was with Clayton. I'm sorry to see him go.

"But one door closes for somebody and another door opens. It looks like the Peavy time is going to start. To get a guy of that caliber, it's hard to pass that up. Certainly, you have to give away good players, and we gave away guys that we liked. That has to happen.

"With Clayton, he was really opening up and loosening up and feeling more comfortable. And he was showing real, real improvement and potential down the road and obviously that's why San Diego wanted him."

Scouting report White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field TV: Channel 26 Tuesday; Comcast SportsNet Plus Wednesday; Comcast SportsNet Thursday Radio: WSCR 670-AM Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jose Contreras (4-10) vs. John Lackey (7-4) Tuesday at 7:11 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (8-6) vs. Sean O'Sullivan (3-0) Wednesday at 7:11 p.m.; John Danks (9-7) vs. Ervin Santana (3-6) Thursday at 1:05 p.m. At a glance: The Angels roll into the Cell after sweeping a three-game weekend series at Minnesota while piling up 52 hits and outscoring the Twins 35-15. Los Angeles (63-40) has won five straight and owns the best record in the AL. The White Sox won two of three at L.A. in late May. The Sox are 14-6 in their last 20 home games and have won six straight series at the Cell. >Next: Cleveland Indians, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field