Report: Marlins Interested in Jake Peavy?

We know the Miami Marlins have made adding a starting pitcher a off-season priority. The team has already looked into the likes of James Shields and Francisco Liriano in free agency, as well as David Price, Johnny Cueto, and Wade Miley on the trade market.

One criteria the Marlins would like in the starting pitcher they add would be that the pitcher is a veteran and has playoff experience. You cannot get more veteran that Jake Peavy, who Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says the Marlins have opened discussions with.

One intriguing possibility is Miami, where the Marlins are looking to add several pieces in the aftermath of the big Giancarlo Stanton signing. The park is a good fit for Peavy, the rotation is young and promising and, as an added bonus, general manager Dan Jennings is a fellow Alabaman. Baseball sources said the Marlins have already had some dialogue with Peavy’s camp this offseason.

Spitting the season with the Red Sox and Giants, Peavy posted a 3.73 ERA and a 4.11 FIP in 202 2/3 innings of work. His work in San Franisco, a more pitcher friendly park than Boston, was even more impressive. In 78 2/3 innings, Peavy posted a 2.17 ERA and a 3.03 FIP. His game would translate well at Marlins Park, better than it did at Fenway, and similar to AT&T Park.

While Peavy is on the downswing of his career, he will still be costly for the Fish to sign. Crasnick projects it would take a 2-year deal north of $20 million to land the veteran starter.

So where does Peavy fall in that spectrum in terms of his portfolio and financial expectations? Two MLB talent evaluators compared him to Tim Hudson, who signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Giants last winter. Bronson Arroyo, who signed a two-year, $23.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks last February with a third-year option, also springs to mind as a comparable.

Even at that price, the Marlins could do worse than adding a veteran arm like Peavy to their rotation. He could be a great mentor for pitchers like Henderson Alvarez and Nathan Eovaldi, both who hold a ton of promise, but need to tap their ability to reach the next level.

Adding Peavy could also open the door for the Marlins to consider moving Eovaldi to add a much needed infield bat.

Next: Gaby Sanchez a fit for the Fish?