Morning Marquee: Matt Kemp deal finalized; Peavy stays in SF

After a few hurdles, the San Diego Padres finalized their deal for outfielder Matt Kemp. On Thursday, USA Today reported the result of Kemp’s physical showed arthritis in both hips, and that the Padres were considering backing out of the deal. In the end, the Padres and Dodgers completed the deal, with no revisions made to the original agreement. San Diego’s first-year GM A.J. Preller has shown an urgency to put an improved team on the field in 2015.

After a lot of rumor and speculation that Jake Peavy would be an “ideal fit” in Chicago, those rumors can be laid to rest as he has signed a two-year, $24 million deal to stay with the Giants, according to sources. Peavy struggled in Boston, but had a strong finish after being traded o the Giants at the deadline. His season ended on a sour note however, as he lasted only an 1 1/3 innings in a 10-0 loss in Game 6 of the World Series. Where he will slot into the rotation is up in the air, as the Giants are thought to still have interest in James Shields after losing out to the Cubs in the Jon Lester sweepstakes.

The Oakland A’s traded catcher Derek Norris to the Padres, receiving RHP’s Jesse Hahn and R.J. Alvarez, Seth Streich and an international signing slot. In his third MLB season, Norris was an All-Star, batting .270 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs for the A’s in 2014. Norris joins a Padres team that has been very busy this off-season, that will hope to compete in the NL West.

Former Cubs outfielder Ryan Kalish signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. After have cervical fusion surgery in 2013, Kalish seemed to be regaining a confidence in his ability, and showed some of the skills that made him a highly touted prospect prior to the injury.

Here are the headlines from yesterday:

‘Matt Kemp trade to Padres done’ – Friars on Base

‘Jake Peavy agrees to two-year deal with Giants’ – ESPN.com

‘Padres acquire Norris from A’s’ – Friars on Base

‘Former Cubs OF Ryan Kalish signs with Jays’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Scherzer’s asking price too rich for Yankees’ – Yanks Go Yard