It appears a team from Chicago — no, not the Cubs –  might be making a play for Padres pitcher Jake Peavy.

According to a baseball source late Wednesday, a potential trade between the Padres and White Sox was being explored.

San Diego general manager Kevin Towers didn’t return a message on Tuesday and Peavy himself, when asked about the rumor of a potential deal said “I only know what you guys [media] knows.”

Peavy, who has a no-trade clause, has stated before that his intention is to remain in San Diego and, at the very least, the National League.

Another potential stumbling block is the remaining money left on the contract Peavy signed in December of 2007.

Peavy, who is making $11 million this season, will make $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. The Padres hold a team option for $22 million with a $4 million buyout.

Peavy was nearly traded in the off-season to the Cubs, who pulled the plug on a potential deal at the Winter Meetings in December. The Padres were actively shopping Peavy because they were trying to shed payroll to get close to the $40 million majority owner John Moores sought.

The Padres, should they make a deal for the 2007 National League Cy
Young Award winner, would certainly want some pitching in return.
Left-hander Aaron Poreda, a first-round Draft pick in 2007, would be
the kind of frontline starter the Padres would desire.

Peavy is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA this season and is coming off a complete-game victory over the Reds on Sunday where he allowed one run with eight strikeouts and no walks. He threw a career-high 92 strikes in that game (against 29 balls).

Peavy has an 89-67 record with a 3.21 ERA in 208 career starts, all with the Padres.

– Corey Brock