Jake Peavy trade rumors: Athletics front runner for White Sox RHP, per report

The Oakland Athletics are leading the sweepstakes for White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy, reports Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com.

For his part, Peavy appears to be prepared for a trade. The White Sox are on the road in Cleveland through the trade deadline, and Peavy has brought three packed suitcases with him in preparation for moving to a new city.

The Athletics would love to strengthen the back of their rotation as Dan Straily has had some struggles as the fifth starter. Acquiring Peavy would give the Athletics a formidable staff going into the postseason, and his veteran experience would help ease the pressure on a relatively young staff.

Oakland isn't the only team looking at Peavy. The Cardinals are also hoping to acquire a starting pitcher, and are hoping to acquire Peavy and SS Alexei Ramirez from the White Sox, reports ESPN's Jim Bowden. They have thrown out top prospects like Kolton Wong and Carlos Martinez as potential trade pieces along with current reliever Joe Kelly.

Other teams rumored to have interest in Peavy are the Red Sox, the Orioles, and the Braves.

Peavy has been seen as a desirable trade acquisition due to the extra year of team control in his contract. That would allow an acquiring team to make a qualifying offer to the pitcher when he becomes a free agent following the 2014 season. Peavy has a 4.28 ERA over 13 starts this year.