Area lore has it that on Friday, Aug. 1, the agent for Padres pitcher Jake Peavy woke his client from a nap to tell him a trade to the Chicago White Sox was his for the taking—all Jake had to do was waive his no-trade clause, part of his $11 million contract for 2009. Acknowledging that he likely won’t play out his San Diego contract, the 2007 Cy Young winner, hobbled by a tendon tear in his right ankle, said yes to the Sox deal, just as he’d said no in May. Chicago, which is contending for the American League Central title, is now on the hook for Peavy’s salary. The compensation rises incrementally to a high of $17 million in 2012, with a $22 team option the following year. And the Padres get four pitching prospects out of the transaction – presuming even two of them develop nicely, it’s a cinch the Dads will come out ahead in the deal. But right now, it’s Peavy’s $11 million that looms large for the Padres’ money men. It’s nearly one-third the entire team payroll of $37 million, which ranks 28th out of 30 franchises (the New York Yankees have the largest, with nearly $210 million). It also helps illustrate the topheavy feel to the club’s salary roster. Right fielder Brian Giles, pitchers Chris Young and Heath Bell and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez command about $17 million of the remaining compensation, leaving only $9 million distributed between 16 players. Gonzalez has been making noise about leaving for the Boston Red Sox; if that transpires, the payroll would theoretically realize an immediate additional savings of $3,125,000. Beyond that, the team’s lowly payroll stature not only reflects the team’s make-up but its on-field play. As of Aug. 3, San Diego had won six of its last seven games – but it’s saddled with a record of 44-63, also 28th best out of 30 teams. Of course, that’s something of a coincidence. Even so, the loss of Peavy tends to underscore it, sort of like a self-fulfilling prophecy yet to play itself out. Jake has to do what he has to do, and at only 28, he’s faced with professional and personal decisions that affect not only him but also his wife and kids. It’s only too bad that those decisions have such far-reaching effect in the cultural fortunes of the eight largest city in the United States. The recession alone has fueled the surly mood around here for months—and now this.