NL West may have gotten easier

San Diego is headed towards a rebuild.

Jake Peavy, one of the ace pitchers in the NL West, may be heading to the American League. Apparently, the Padres and White Sox have agreed to a trade that involves Peavy moving along in exchange for some prospects. The only thing in the way is approval from Jake to move east.

Peavy has full no-trade power through next season and the trade will be entirely his call. The sides are expecting a fairly quick decision by Peavy. Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod, said that Peavy prefers "Middle America,'' so that should work. However, Peavy is also known to like the National League.

The suspected prospect going to the Friars are top pitching prospects Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard.

Sources say the Padres would receive top White Sox pitching prospect Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard (both left-handers). San Diego may have some choices on additional elements of the deal, but Poreda and Richard are seen as the key pieces. The 22-year-old Poreda is currently 3-3 with a 2.54 ERA for the Double-A Birmingham Barons. Richard (4.33 ERA) started the year in Chicago's bullpen, but recently earned a spot in the rotation. In his last start, Richard pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run on three hits. The Padres also need a shortstop, but the White Sox won't part with their top overall prospect, SS Gordon Beckham.