Jake Peavy was very nearly traded from the Padres to the Cubs in the winter of 2008.
"I think it was as close as anything could possibly be without happening," Peavy said.
At the very last minute, the deal broke apart.
"It was going to happen, and then it was a few days where we were just waiting on the announcement. They had to get a few things done here and there, and it was going to be a done deal," Peavy added.
At the time, Peavy was considered the one missing piece that could put the Cubs over the top.
The framework of the trade was agreed upon by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry and Padres general manager Kevin Towers. The Braves and Orioles also got involved in what could have been a four-team trade.
Word is that Cubs owner Sam Zell sent a message to Hendry at the last moment saying he wouldn't take on the $63 million remaining on Peavy's contract.