Only thing more shocking than Sox making move for Jake Peavy is...

Give Ken Williams credit. He said Thursday morning that he has been working quietly on a deal to bring Jake Peavy to the White Sox for 11 months.

[Rich]

Have you ever considered that the Cubs do not have the money to make a deal happen? A payroll of about 140 million & with defferred contracts the payroll will continue to rise.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The Cubs are a top-tier team??? What a joke.

.500 teams, with aging players, a terrible manager and a worse group of high paid nothings is top tier??

This guy just lost my respect as to credibility and knowledge on baseball.

What have the Cubs done in this decade versus how much money they invested into it?? LOL

[OldSmoky2]

How "top tier" can an NL team that hasn't won a World Series in more than a century be?

[Strange stuff]

When was the last time a decent free agent from another team took Kenny's money?
When players have a choice on where they get to play, they shun the south side and have been for quite a while. There must be a reason that not only fans stay away from this team Kenny. I think it's you.

[J Farina]

Dear Richard Head,
Thanks for the support. After that glowing endorsement, why would he want to go elsewhere?

[Chris]

Cubs a top tier team that hasn't won a world series in how long? Yeah, exactly! The winners are on the southside and don't get that twisted! The Cubs will be 3 and out again this year, if they do make the playoffs.

[Danny]

Here's a story about HOW the WHITE SOX have a chance to get an elite pitcher and you guys are talking about the cubs and your gripes with the columnist? Wow.

[Bub]

Hey Rick--

If you want to take over for Marriotti as the city's Sox hater, your going to have to learn how to write at least as well as he did.

Zell sure dies have ALL you guys shilling for the Cubs.

Pathetic.

Go Sox.

[paul from geneva]

Strange stuff wrote:

When was the last time a decent free agent from another team took Kenny's money?
When players have a choice on where they get to play, they shun the south side and have been for quite a while. There must be a reason that not only fans stay away from this team Kenny. I think it's you.

When was The Last Time The Sox BID On A Top Tier Free Agent? Your Argument Doesn't Make Sense. Kenerko, Dye, Burhle, And Others Have Resigned When They had Opportunities To Go Elsewhere. Maybe 2 Division Titles, 1 AL Pennant And A World Championship In The Last Four Seasons Have Something To Do With It. Please Name All The "Decent" Free Agents Who Have Rebuffed The Sox.

[david]

I used to hope & pray that Ron Schueler would make these types of moves that Kenny has. Kenny's really bold & wants to win, which is really a breath of fresh air. I sometimes can't believe what he tries to pull off - like attempting to acquire Peavy, regardless of it being 50-50 of him pitching in a Sox uniform by the end of the week. Give Kenny credit...

Although this honestly isn't a jab to cub fans, I also find it rather amusing that, after getting rid of 2 quality players to clear out some cap space, the cubs may not land Peavy after all - the Sox just might!

Go Sox.

[Big Cat]

Danny wrote:

Here's a story about HOW the WHITE SOX have a chance to get an elite pitcher and you guys are talking about the cubs and your gripes with the columnist? Wow.

Typical symptom of "Sox Fan Inferiority Complex". It's only going to get worse too, so be prepared.

[Wonderer]

I wonder if Scott Linebrink told Peavy he should come to the Southside or stay in San Diego to see what other opportunities may come his way.

[Happy]

So, if I'm living and working in San Diego and am offered a job at the same money, in worse working conditions and a slightly better company in Chicago do I take that job? Absolutely not.

Worse working conditions: AL vs. NL, the Cell, Ozzie

Slightly better company: current record of team, recent history.

Would the Cubs be a more attractive option? Absolutely. Better manager, historic ballpark, NL, over .500 with recent division titles, more marketing opportunities.

Of course, he's probably holding out of LA which is probably his first option.

Either way, unless the Sox are dangling a huge extension, I'd say he'd be crazy to come.

[ldc]

Strange stuff wrote:

When was the last time a decent free agent from another team took Kenny's money?
When players have a choice on where they get to play, they shun the south side and have been for quite a while. There must be a reason that not only fans stay away from this team Kenny. I think it's you.

The biggest named free agent Kenny has ever pursued was Torri Hunter.

His MO has never been to go after them, because they are too expensive and often want long-term deals -- which again is not Kenny's style.

Instead, he chooses to build through trades and deals with second-tier players, those who have either been cast-off, or those who are coming off lackluster seasons, but who still have promise.

In case you weren't looking, it has worked. A WS ring, two division titles, another 90-win season against one losing season over nearly a decade.

And if Peavy comes to town, this team could easily be back in the hunt this season. For all the struggles, they are only five out, and it's still May.

He may not come, KW.

But I'm certain you are terrified. It means you will have to change what you whine about the rest of the season.

[Drew]

if he chooses not to come because he's afraid of AL pitching, then i wouldn't want him, i want competitors that want to play and pitch against the best. i'd be embarassed for him if that's his excuse.

[Slydog]

The Cubs are a top-tier team even though they never have won it. They are in a major market and have a national following like the Red Sox and Yankees. These Players with Big Ego's like to go and play where they will be on National TV and be in the spotlight. Nobody outside of the South Side of Chicago even cares about the White Sox. They are an afterthought like the Padres.

[Drew]

...i'm mean if he's afraid of AL hitting...

[Stephen]

Chris wrote:

Cubs a top tier team that hasn't won a world series in how long? Yeah, exactly! The winners are on the southside and don't get that twisted! The Cubs will be 3 and out again this year, if they do make the playoffs.

So, the Sox win 1 WS in 90 years and that makes them top tier? The Cubs are top tier because they will spend the money to field a good team every year. They should be in the pennant race every single year, including this year.

[jim h]

Let see, the White Sox have won a World Series and another division title in the last 4 years. Who else fits that category. Boston. The Sox have stable ownership unlike the Padres and Cubs who are both in the process of being sold. That's a huge deal when your contract is so big that your team has to trade you (Padres) or can't trade for you (Cubs).

I live in San Diego and have watched Peavy for years. I can't believe he's afraid to pitch in the AL. He'll be successful wherever he goes. I'd have Buehrle give him a call and invite Jake to Mark's hunting grounds in Missouri for the All Star break (assuming they both don't make it - Buehrle probably will). Jake is a big outdoorsman like Mark and the two would undoubtedly hit it off. This deal would give the Sox the best staff in the AL for the next few years and take pressure off of Floyd and Danks.

[Matt D]

Chris wrote:

Cubs a top tier team that hasn't won a world series in how long? Yeah, exactly! The winners are on the southside and don't get that twisted! The Cubs will be 3 and out again this year, if they do make the playoffs.

What does that have to do with the fact in 2009, the Sox are 17-22? And the Cubs are contending for another division title, again THIS YEAR....