too much tryptophan (yawn)

The news is ridiculously slow these days, and I'm bored. Here are two things I learned from the Cubs' site: (1) Carlos Marmol will be the Cubs' closer next year, and (2) Lou Piniella has denied that his team has any interest in signing Jake Peavy. Apparently they're now happy with their starting five, including Marquis. Re: Marmol, I was expecting it. Re: Peavy, I don't believe it for a second. But we'll see. I still think they'd trade for him if all the pieces fell into place. And here's antother crumb I picked up from Yahoo! Sports: The Cards think of Aaron Miles as a "super utility man." I know I've always thought of him that way, I'd just never heard anyone phrase it quite like that before. I'm picturing him with a cape flapping in the wind, and a giant felt "S" on his chest.

clues or distracters? you decide

The Cardinals prefer a short-term solution for their closer situation, and will likely give Chris Perez the ninth inning job, or seek a lower-budget option through the trade market. They may also trade a young outfielder for an established bat at a corner OF position.

Cardinals. Another of Peavy's preferred teams that is not a good fit. The Cardinals, facing multiple needs, do not want to invest in all of their available payroll and top prospects in one move.

On the Cardinals front, Joe Strauss says the team's scouts met this week and are enthusiastic about pursuing Peavy. Strauss's sources say Peavy's availability "loosened the organization's grip on younger talent." Viva El Birdos believes Peavy would cost top prospect Colby Rasmus and then some. Despite Towers' stated focus on starting pitching, an offer including Rasmus would have to give him pause.

So a note to all teams out there, here’s what it will take for you to get Jake Peavy from the Padres: your two top position player prospects and your best pitching prospect, and that’s at a minimum. You only qualify if all three of those players will be Major League-ready by Spring Training. Oh and all three must be on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list.

Without further ado, Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list (2008):
#5 Colby Rasmus-OF
#85 Bryan Anderson-C
#97 Chris Perez-RHP
Two of these guys have my deepest sympathies and best wishes for their careers. Chris Perez we might need. But I don't know who that leaves for a trade. Maybe we could trade for the players we need to trade.

my thoughts on "Jake"

If we do go after Peavy (and for the record I'd be all for that), it won't be without competition from some other teams. The Braves in particular have expressed interest, and one journalist gives them a better chance based on the fact that Jake hails from the South.
Jake made $6 million this year and is owed $60 million over the next four years.
Considering the circumstances, the money, and the fact that Moze has all but said he won't go after any more starters, I'd say acquiring Peavy is a long shot at best. I'm sure he's ready to get out of San Diego, and I'm sure the Padres may be willing to eat some of his contract in order to clear up some cash and bring in some young talent, but overall, I wouldn't count on the price being tempting enough to get Moze to rethink the rotation.
That being said, IFFFFF Carp were to experience a serious setback or re-injury, things could change dramatically. Now forget you read that and let's get back to reality.