Make a Statement: Go for Jake Peavy

With all the on-again, off-again rumors for trying to move Justin Upton, the Braves still have a large and lingering problem that needs to be addressed.  A veteran starting pitcher.

The fans have been on a roller-coaster while waiting for something to happen.  All the while, the better pitching options are continuing to be snatched up, one by one.  An Ervin Santana here, a Justin Masterson there.  Sure, Jon Lester too, but the Braves weren’t swimming in those waters.  So who really remains?

• Hiroki Kuroda (prefers West Coast or Yankees) (115)
• Aaron Harang (99)
• Kyle Kendrick (91)
• Jake Peavy (113)
• Wandy Rodriguez (101)
• Max Scherzer (ummm….no) (117)
• James Shields (not very likely) (111)
• Ryan Vogelsong (85)
• Edinson Volquez (please don’t) (88)

(numbers in parentheses: career ERA+;  100=’average’)

Sure – there are several others “available”, but most are risky in terms of health (Scott Baker, Chad Billingsley, Josh Johnson, Alexi Ogando) or are suspect in terms of performance.  There are some obviously unaffordable names as well.  But eliminating those, there is only one remaining name that would excite Braves’ fans at all.

Jake Peavy

Sure:  he’s about to be 34 years old.  The best pitching days of this Mobile, Alabama native are probably behind him (ERA+ for last 5 seasons:  2014: 100, 100, 126, 88, 2009: 93).  But for a staff that needs a veteran and an innings eater (202, 144, 219 over the past 3 seasons), this is The Guy.

Could you settle for Aaron Harang?  Very possibly.  But he will be 37 in 2015 and seemed to fade at the end of a 204 inning stint – while posting a solid 102 ERA+.  Harang would be a cheaper get and would not likely require a multi-year commitment.  He’s the safe option.  He was an outstanding pick-up for last year in an emergency role.  But let’s be frank:  Harang is the option you pick that tells the fans “we’ll muddle through this year and see how it goes.”

Signing Peavy would say “This is a team that still wants to win, and we’re not backing off.”  No matter what everything else looks like.

The Requirements

Next: Braves Left Holding an Empty Trade Bag?

Certainly, Peavy would be looking for a multi-year contract.  Probably the least that Atlanta could get away with is 3 years and $40 million – that given the contracts foisted upon risky, younger starters this off-season.  A fourth year team option would probably need to be added as well – whatever.  It would be a contract a bit on the risky side, but part of the deal is to have that “been there, done that” guy in the clubhouse with the youngsters (

being the oldest of the starters – he will be 27 on the day after Christmas).

Would Harang provide the same?  Maybe.  He would probably require something in the $6-8m range, and could be hoping for a 2 year deal.  One is certainly the most I would want to see if the Braves end up going back to that well.

Can Atlanta afford Peavy?  Sure:  even with Justin Upton still on the payroll, there is space – not much extra space, but it can be done.  If Upton is eventually moved – which is still likely – then so much the better.

It’s the Message

John Hart continues to insist that Atlanta is not “rebuilding” – not now, not ever.  All right, then, prove it.  Show me.

Sign the only starting pitcher remaining that you can remotely afford who has winners’ credentials.

Don’t wait until you see what happens with Justin.  Do it now.

The Braves Should Try and Sign Jake Peavy.