I think that it was definitely worthwhile, even with the change in environments and the move to the tougher league, and accepting that there might be a few Blyleven-like moments for Peavy in The Cell. But even then, while the past is some sort of guide, what does it tell us when Peavy's struggled in Phoenix and Denver--two parks that are kind to right-handed power--but he's been good in the Gap or in Houston? It tells us there are limits, and that while Peavy's going to be worse than if he still got to call Petco home, his performance record is such that he's worth adding to a rotation in any environment.

The question for me is the relative cost in terms of prospects, because there's a reasonable chance that all four guys acquired are pitching for the Padres before Peavy's left Chicago's South Side. Perhaps it's a superficial thing, but it won't look good, sort of like when the Sox had both Melido Perez and Greg Hibbard before Floyd Bannister's time in KC was even up, only more so.

Add in the question of whether or not the Sox could have, say, added some other starting pitcher at $17 million or more this winter or next... do you give John Lackey that much in terms of AAV, when you'll also have to go longer than three years? Take an even bigger roll of the dice with Rich Harden? Do you punt on 2010 and wait for Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay and Josh Beckett the following winter?

It's been said before, and it bears repeating: for better or for worse, Williams doesn't punt. This was an interesting roll of the dice at present, and it might look back by 2012 when perhaps all four pitchers dealt might be pitching for the Padres. But it's of a piece with the man's work that it's a deal intended to help the Sox now, in 2010, and in the two deals subsequent, and in that light, it's a worthwhile win-now move.