Jake Peavy Changes His Sox

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 31, 2013 3:40PM

With his scheduled start Tuesday scratched ahead of Wednesday's trade deadline, White Sox fans knew Jake Peavy's departure was coming. The White Sox made their biggest move of the season late Tuesday night when they traded the starting pitcher to the Boston Red Sox as part of a three way trade that also included the Detroit Tigers. The White Sox receive Triple-A outfielder Avisail Garcia from the Tigers, plus Red Sox minor leaguers Cleulius Rondon, Francelis Montas and Jeffery Wendelken.

Acquired at the trade deadline in 2009, Peavy had a star-crossed four-plus seasons with the White Sox. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner was 36-29 with a 4.00 ERA in 84 games with the Sox, but spent much of his South Side tenure injured and on the disabled list. In July 2010, Peavy suffered a detached latissimus dorsi muscle that ended his season after 17 starts. He made multiple trips to the DL in 2011, pitching in just 19 games. 2012 was Peavy's first healthy season in Chicago, where he made 32 start and pitched 219 innings while compiling a 3.37 ERA but just a 11-12 record. So far in 2013, Peavy was 8-4 in 13 starts with a 4.28 ERA, while missing six weeks after suffering a left rib fracture.

Following the Cubs' trade of Matt Garza last week, Peavy was widely believed to be the most coveted starter available. While Sox GM Rick Hahn tried to downplay his urgency to trade Peavy given that he is under contract in 2014, the team was looking to shed payroll given their poorly performing, but expensive roster. Moving Peavy saves the White Sox almost $20 million that can now be spent to rebuild.

One piece of that rebuilding is expected to be Avisail Garcia, who was the key piece in the trade for the White Sox. Considered to be the number two prospect in the Tigers' organization , the Venezuelan outfielder is batting .380 with six home runs, 27 RBI and 32 runs scored in 39 games combined this season between Triple-A Toledo and Class-A Lakeland.

While the White Sox have already traded Peavy, Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain, Hahn may not be done dealing just yet. Rumors have focused on Alex Rios as the most likely hitter to be moved, so he might also be packing his bags before this afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline. The white flag is waving mightily over the Cell this week. And an ugly season is only going to get worse, Sox fans.