Not that this has anything to pertain to the Mets, but Padres starting pitcher, and 2007 NL Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy appeared to have ‘dirty hands’ in a recent 2-hit performance against the Dodgers. The Big Lead has the story and a picture of Peavy’s hands on the day of the start.

Peavy on the dirty hands…

“I laughed, to be honest with you. Anybody that wants to check me, feel free. There’s nothing on my hands that’s not supposed to be. I thought it was funny that it was such a big deal. I’ve got no problems with anytime anybody needs to check me. I can’t imagine my hands being that dirty. That being said, your hand doesn’t look clean when you’re out there. Obviously I pick up rosin, pick up dirt, I do hit. There’s no way you could have a foreign substance on your hand that’s black. I don’t know what you could put on your hand. My whole hand was covered, the picture I saw. Wouldn’t that come off on a ball? How could you throw a ball with pine tar on your hand?”

Padres manager Bud Black on the situation…

“When you play baseball, your hands get dirty.”

Dodgers manager Joe Torre on Peavy and his next start against the Dodgers this upcoming Friday…

“I don’t want to make excuses for not winning. I didn’t suspect anything Saturday. It was the first time I’ve seen him pitch. We’ll be the home team on Friday, so the balls that get thrown out of the game will come over to our dugout.”

Peavy’s reply to Torre’s statement…

“The Dodgers are more than welcome to look at any balls I throw. I hope that they’re worried about my hand more than they’re worried about my pitches. I honestly hope that’s a cause of concern. Anytime Joe wants to have anybody check me, I welcome that.”

Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports reports that the Padres and Jake Peavy are making progress on an extension to try and keep him in San Diego.

The deal, according to a major-league source, is reported to sign Peavy through 2012, and will average between $17 million and $17.5 million per season, possibly with a club option for an additional year.
Peavy’s agent said his average annual value would be lower than that of Carlos Zambrano and Barry Zito.

Zambrano is averaging $18.3 million per season, and Zito is averaging $18 million per season.

Peavy will earn $6 million next season and the Padres hold a $8 million club option on him for 2009.

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, San Diego Padres SP Jake Peavy has been named the National League Cy Young award winner.

In 34 starts this season for the Padres, Peavy led the National League in just about every pertinent category in 2007 — victories (19), ERA (2.54), strikeouts (240) and strikeouts per nine innings (9.67). Peavy also started the All-Star Game in July in San Francisco.

Here’s a roundup of buzz this afternoon on the Hot Stove front…

• Kosuke Fukudome is considering his options in Japan, and may not necessarily be making the move to MLB, reports Ken Rosenthal in Fox Sports.
• Ramon Castro’s 2-year $4 million deal is all but pending a physical at this point, reports the New York Daily News.
• If Kenny Rogers wants to return to the Rangers, he has to apologize, reports the Dallas Morning News. This Kenny Rogers stuff gets funnier by the day.
• The Padres are trying to sign an extention with Jake Peavy, reports the San Diego Union Tribune.
• Several juicy items on Buster Olney’s blog this afternoon. He reports that the Dodgers are very interested in Aaron Rowand.
• Olney is saying the Phillies are making a push for Mike Lowell but we reported earlier this week that the Phillies don’t have money for anything but pitching. Remember Olney also said A-Rod would sign for $220 over 10 years, so buzz baloney beware.
• Six teams are interested in Matt Clement, with the Padres being the most likely destination.
• Another rumor I do not buy is that Andruw Jones could return to Atlanta. Apparently the Braves just found a bunch of money between their cushions (they made a profit for the first time in years) and might actually spend it.

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald notes that some of the whispers heard in the lobby that the Padres are letting other teams know that Padres SP Jake Peavy is available. Silverman also notes that the Twins have yet to let it be known that Johan Santana is available.

Ken Rosenthal, aka Mr.November, reports on Fox Sports that the Padres have no interest in giving up Jake Peavy in return for Manny Ramirez

The Dodgers still appear to be the most logical match for the
Red Sox. But while the teams have spoken, the Dodgers are not in hot
pursuit of Ramirez, according to a second source.

The Red Sox want a quality major-league piece and prospects for Ramirez.

A Jake Peavy for Manny Ramirez deal could be in the works.

The Mariners have contacted the agent of OF Luis Gonzalez.

The Giants and C Bengie Molina are in serious contract negotiations.

The Phillies as well as the Indians and P Joe Borowski are working on a 1-year deal.

The Cubs are more likely to trade OF Jacque Jones than OF Matt Murton.

Our friend Matt Cerrone @ MetsBlog is reporting that Jerry Crasnick was heard on ESPN Radio reporting that the Braves are close to acquiring Jake Peavy from the Padres in exchange for 2B Marcus Giles, RHP Horacio Ramirez and C Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Well, that would suck. Not only because I think Peavy is a pretty good 2nd or 3rd option for the Mets to acquire for their rotation, but to have him come to the Braves is a double whammy. Lets hope at least this increases the odds that Glavine is not headed there as well.