ESPN’s Buster Olney names three young starting pitchers who might be available this winter: Jake Peavy, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, and Edwin Jackson.
Peavy is 27; his trade value is off the charts. He’s under contract for the next four seasons at a below-market $59MM total. In 2013, his $22MM club option could be seen as a discount as well – remember when A.J. Burnett at $11MM a year was crazy? The A’s received a six-prospect bounty for three years of Dan Haren; Peavy suitors will have to top that. Peavy will also need to be compensated to waive his no-trade clause.
Greinke would require a package of players rivaling return the Orioles received for Erik Bedard. Middle infield, catcher, and center field could be areas the Royals look to address.
It’d be three years of Cain, so put his price somewhere between Greinke and Peavy. Jackson is also under team control for three years, but he’d be the easiest to acquire of the four.