Third Wish: Chicago Cubs Aquire Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres

Ryan Dempster was one of the top few candidates for the Cy Young award in 2008. He will be seeking a hefty pay upgrade. While I think what he did was great and hope that he does continue his success, I just don't see paying him what he will be seeking.  Seeing how Ted Lilly got a four year, $40 million contract from the Cubs prior to 2007, Ryan will be seeking more. Dempster will probably get somewhere around four years for $13 million per, possibly more.  The problem with signing Dempster is that you don't know if this is something to expect or if it was a one year thing. Trading for Peavy gives you a pitcher that has been successful for five years. Four of the five years, his ERA has been below 3.00. The other benefit is that over the next four years, Peavy is owed $59 million, only seven more than what Dempster will likely get. This is also a very favorable contract to be paying when considered to other free agents like CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. While in "First" and "Second ... (link)