Trader Kenny was up to his wiley ways on Thursday, nabbing a former Cy Young and All-Star picther during the final hours of the trade deadline.
The White Sox gave up four pitchers to pry Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres -- Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter and Adam Russell.
In a news conference at Friday's game against the Yankess, GM Kenny Williams said the deal got done with about 23 seconds left before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. CST.
Peavy, 28, is 6-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 13 starts with the Padres this season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has been on the disabled list since June 13 with a strained tendon in his right ankle.
He was taking a nap with his son when word came through of the trade, and later talked about how everyone knew this day was coming.
"I’ve told people all along. When it becomes the case of a team really pursuing you and showing interest in you," Peavy said, "you want to play and you want to be somewhere where you’re wanted."
Williams said Peavy should be ready to go by the end of August and that a variety of pitchers will fill those three or so spots until he's ready.
Saying goodbye to his Padres teammates will be difficult. "I’m sure I’ll shed a few tears with the boys in the locker room," he said. "This is all I’ve known since I was a 17-year old kid."
The White Sox made a play for Peavy earlier this season, but the pitcher apparently made it known that he would invoke his no-trade clause rather than play for the team. It's not clear what caused him to change his mind and waive the clause, but Williams said Friday that Peavy never actually refused to play for the Sox, and that it was just bad timing.
Over eight major-league seasons with the Padres, Peavy was 92-68 with a 3.29 ERA and 1,348 strikeouts in 212 starts. He also has more strikeouts since the 2003 season than any other pitcher in the majors.
"To get a No. 1 you have to pay the price," Williams said, referring to the young pitchers he gave up in the deal. "We're here to win and to win now."
Richard, 25, has looked good in his last couple of starts, and is 4-3 on the season with a 4.65 ERA.
Poreda, one of the tops prospects in the minors, spent the season between Class AAA Charlotte Class AA Birmingham this season, compiling a 3-4 record with a 2.72 ERA.
Carter (6-20 has been spending the season in Class A Kannapolis and Russell has spent the season in Charlotte, after logging some time with the Sox last season.
Peavy said he's excited for the move.
"Once I get on that plane to Chicago, I won’t look back."
