And just like clockwork, there are signs that the Jake Peavy-Atlanta talks figure to be back on. There is pressure on both sides to complete the talks that basically got to the 1½-yard line, and to finish them ASAP. For the Padres, it's obvious that there is a push to lower the payroll dramatically, and they need to move Peavy's contract and get decent return, even if it's 80 to 90 cents on the dollar.
And the signing of
Ryan Dempster is just the latest indication that the Braves are vulnerable to becoming the team left standing when the game of free-agent musical chairs stops.
CC Sabathia is headed to the Yankees or to a California team, in all likelihood; big-money teams are bidding on
A.J. Burnett; and
Derek Lowe's agent is asking teams for five years, and the Yankees likely will be one of the contenders for his services.
| Olney's news and notes |
• Astros looking to trade a few veterans
• Dodgers preparing to make offer to CC
• Nats downplay Teixeira signing in D.C.
• Yankees, Red Sox fighting over Burnett
• Cubs fine-tuning their roster
Around the majors with Buster Olney 
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So the Braves' best shot at a free agent might be with
Oliver Perez -- and with all due respect to the talented but erratic lefty, he is not the kind of consistent impact pitcher that Atlanta wants or needs. And as the free agents come off the board, and the Braves remain empty-handed, the leverage of San Diego GM
Kevin Towers will rise -- not significantly, but incrementally.
Yunel Escobar is in the proposed deal, and outfielder
Gorkys Hernandez will be, along with a pitcher, probably
Jo-Jo Reyes, plus minor league pitchers. So the Braves stand to make a deal for the 2007 Cy Young Award winner without surrendering: (A) their top pitching prospect,
Tommy Hanson; (B) their top outfield prospect,
Jason Heyward; (C) The player who is thought by some scouts to be their second-best outfield prospect,
Jordan Schaefer.
The Padres don't appear to have any other serious suitors for Peavy, but history tells us that circumstances can change rapidly. A player for another team can get injured in an off-field accident, setting off an unexpected chain reaction:
Aaron Boone got hurt playing basketball, the Yankees voided his contract and swooped in and made a deal for
Alex Rodriguez after weeks of negotiations between the Red Sox and the Rangers, at a time when Boston believed (rightly) that there were no other serious bidders for A-Rod. Stuff happens.
It makes sense for both teams to close this out right now.
Around the majors with Buster Olney
Buster Olney
