Skip navigation

Piniella says Cubs out of running for Peavy

Manager says team is set with strong starting rotation

Image: Peavy
Paul Connors / AP
San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was 10-11 with a 2.85 ERA last season.
Slideshow
Minnesota Twins v Oakland Athletics
  The Expert's All-Stars
Tony DeMarco breaks down his picks for the starting lineups of both MLB All-Star teams.

more photos

Video: Baseball from NBC Sports
Inland Empire 66ers v Lake Elsinore Storm
Getty Images
Manny wants to move on from suspension
July 4: After returning from a 50-game suspension, Manny Ramirez says he wants to leave the past in the past.

Slide show
Image: Spanish bullfighter Jose Tomas is tossed by a bull during a bullfight at Monumental bullring in Barcelona
  The Week in Sports Pictures
Fireworks, crash landings, Wimbledon theatrics and more.

more photos

NBCSports.com news services
updated 11:27 p.m. ET Nov. 25, 2008

The Chicago Cubs are done chasing Jake Peavy, according to comments by manager Lou Piniella made to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The team had reportedly been talking to the San Diego Padres about dealing for their star pitcher, but Piniella was quoted in Tuesday's Sun-Times that his team was already set with fine starting pitchers.

"No," Piniella was quoted as saying in in the paper. "Starting we don't need. We're set. We've got six good starters, and they're all experienced. Getting (Ryan) Dempster back was the key. We're in good shape with our starting pitching. Bullpen-wise, (we're looking for) possibly one more experienced pitcher. We've got a lot of young kids out there."

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

The Cubs signed Dempster to a four-year extension, and also have Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Sean Marshall under contract.

Marshall has been used as a starter and reliever, but according to MLB.com, has been mentioned in trade talks that would bring outfielder Mark Teahan to Chicago from the Kansas City Royals.

The Padres, looking to cut costs, have made it clear they intend to trade Peavy this offseason. The right-hander has a 3.25 ERA and 1,256 strikeouts in seven seasons. The Atlanta Braves have long been thought to be the most likely destination for Peavy, but the Braves have balked at San Diego's asking price. The stopped pursuing Peavy on Nov. 14, according to MLB.com.

© 2009 NBC Sports.com

Sponsored links