Blogging the San Diego Padres… established 1997

You’ve read Jake Peavy‘s comments in Sunday’s San Diego Union Tribune. My first thought was to embark on a full-on rant, but talk radio does that much better than I ever could, so instead, I’ll call upon skills learned way back in college and do a detailed textual analysis of Peavy’s words:

Text: I’m not optimistic about staying here as much as I’d like to remain a Padre.

Subtext: Pretty straightforward. The phrase “as much as I’d like” suggests that we, as fans, are not to blame Peavy for whatever happens.

Text: I hope it’s not the case, but I think it’s inevitable that I’ll wind up somewhere else.

Subtext: The key words here are “hope” and “inevitable.” Peavy at once plants the seed that his desire is to remain in San Diego while also absolving himself of responsibility should that not happen. He hopes that he doesn’t have to leave, but if he does, it’s not his fault. Peavy returns to this theme later.

Text: I am not looking to break the bank. I’m not saying I want a huge payday. I’m going to ask for what’s fair.

Subtext: This time we’re focusing on “not” and “fair.” The cliche is true: If it’s not about the money, you can be pretty sure that it’s about the money. Asking for what’s fair seems reasonable; we can all relate to that. If he doesn’t get what he asks for, what he deems “fair,” then it’s because management wouldn’t give it to him.

Text: And although I hope it happens here, I just don’t see the Padres spending that much on a player.

Subtext: Peavy nails the second part. He’s got an excellent read on the front office, which probably won’t spend “that much” (which Peavy seems to equate with “what’s fair”) on a player. He again uses the word “hope,” which reinforces the notion that his desire is to remain in San Diego.

Text: And if they’re not thinking in that direction, they might decide to trade me before it comes to the point of free agency.

Subtext: Again, Peavy is right. The Padres might decide to trade him. It strikes me as odd that a team’s star player would speculate on such matters during the heat of a pennant race, but as long as his focus remains on the task at hand, then I suppose there’s no real harm done beyond further alienating some fans who don’t believe that the organization is doing all it can to field a competitive team. The other danger is that in hinting at the possibility of a future trade, Peavy might be making overtures toward such a move, but that’s extrapolating a bit.

Text: It’s not in my hands, as much as I wish it was.

Subtext: Whatever happens, don’t blame Peavy.

Text: And when you look at (Padres CEO) Sandy (Alderson’s) stance on long-term contracts, well, he’s not been keen on them.

Subtext: None. Peavy is simply stating the truth.

Text: All I’ve heard from friends today are questions about Zambrano.

Subtext: Not much. I suppose you could extrapolate and surmise that the Cubs gave Carlos Zambrano “what’s fair” in Peavy’s eyes, but that’s a stretch. I think it’s a good bet that folks have been talking to Peavy about Zambrano, end of story.

Text: Obviously with the Padres’ track record, they’re not going there, nor would I expect them to.

Subtext: This one’s a little confusing, but I take it to mean that Peavy isn’t asking the Padres to match what the Cubs gave Zambrano. In other words, Peavy would consider a lesser amount to be “fair.”

Text: I’ve got to say, the Padres have helped set me up better than I could have ever dreamed. They have given my family security. And I’m proud to be a Padre.

Subtext: This is a nice touch. The humility angle will play well with fans, as will “proud to be a Padre.” Regardless of whether Peavy believes these things (I happen to suspect that he probably does), he’s put himself in excellent position.

Text: I love it that I’m climbing up some charts here and closing in on the strikeout record. I’d like to be the all-time win leader here.

Subtext: Peavy understands and appreciates his place in Padres history. Another nice touch.

Text: What I’d most like is to take those results and have them be a part of winning a championship.

Subtext: He’s on a roll. Peavy moves from personal milestones to team goals that tug at the heart strings of all Padres fans.

Text: I’m more concerned about the team making a conscious effort to win a world championship.

Subtext: The key word here is “team.” Is Peavy referring to players or to the front office? If it’s the former, then I hope he is able to help motivate his teammates (and keep himself healthy — no more breaking ribs in post-game celebrations before the playoffs). If it’s the latter, then I’d submit the fact that the Padres have reached the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and are battling for yet another berth in ’07 as evidence that management is committed to winning.

Text: At times, I don’t know if they’ve gone out on a limb to make it happen. I believe the big philosophy is right. But the first question I’d ask is, ‘Can you give me your word that we’re going to make an effort to win the World Series?’

Subtext: This answers our question; he’s talking about the management team.

Text: Honestly, they’ve done a phenomenal job with what they’ve spent. But we’re being asked at a $58 million payroll to compete against the Dodgers and Giants . . . and we’re doing it.

Subtext: Now he seems to be defending management, or at least acknowledging that the folks in charge of his team have done a better job of assembling talent than the guys in charge of teams with more money have. Peavy also may be hinting that he’d like to see his team spend more money, perhaps making the assumption that a greater financial commitment will lead to further success. (How’s that working for the Giants?)

Text: But if we had made a little bit more of a financial commitment to winning, I think we could have already won a World Series.

Subtext: I’d like to know the basis for Peavy’s assertion that the front office isn’t doing all it can to foster success. How much of a financial commitment would have ensured that Peavy brought his A-game to the post-season in ’05 and ’06? This strikes me as a very dangerous line for someone with a 12.10 career playoff ERA to be casting.

In conclusion, it’s important to note that Peavy was responding to questions asked of him. As a fan, I’m disappointed that his comments are coming to light now, when the focus should be on trying to win the NL West (or at least the wild card). Beyond that, I’m curious to know the motivation for discussing Peavy’s aspirations after his current contract expires following the 2008 season (or 2009, if the Padres pick up his option). Why is the U-T hot on this story now, while the home team and its fans might be more interested in the playoffs this year? There may be valid reasons (need to pay the bills, controversy sells, etc.), but we should still ask the question.

The other concern I have deals with perception. I’ve hinted at this in the past, but it seems to be getting worse: Despite the unprecedented success the Padres are enjoying right now, the amount of negativity I hear on the radio, at the ballpark, and elsewhere around town is staggering. You’d think we were the Pirates, who haven’t had a winning season since 1991. I’m not sure the exact root of this malaise, this vague distrust of current management, but it’s spreading. I don’t imagine that a story highlighting the fact that one of the Padres’ most celebrated current players expects to leave San Diego before long will help matters in that regard.

Peavy isn’t anyone’s puppet; he is free to speak his mind. It’s just sad that this apparently is what’s on his mind right now, even as the Padres are attempting to defend their division title…

Thanks, LynchMob. Off day on Monday, then the Padres are in New York for three against the Mets. Should be fun…