White Sox Rumors: Chicago Expected to Decline Jake Peavy's 2013 Option

The Chicago White Sox are expected to decline the $22 million team option they hold for veteran right-hander Jake Peavy, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

White Sox star right-hander Jake Peavy appears likely to become another very good starting pitching option in a thin free-agent class.

Word is the White Sox have signaled to Peavy they are unlikely to pick up his $22 million club option for 2013, meaning they'd pay the $4 million buyout and effectively make him a free agent.

If the White Sox do decide not to pick up Peavy’s option, the 31-year-old would receive a $4 million buyout. Heyman notes that the White Sox could decline the option and still attempt to re-sign Peavy, but he doesn’t expect a deal to be reached before the right-hander reaches free agency.

While some may not think Peavy is worth such a high annual salary, he has been impressive for the White Sox this season. Over twenty-nine starts he’s maintained an ERA of 3.26 with 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 2.0 walks per nine.

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Should the White Sox exercise Jake Peavy's $22 million option?

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