Tim Brown at Yahoo! Sports has a report more along the lines of seems conventional–that the Braves might get it done first.

The Atlanta Braves are optimistic enough about acquiring San Diego Padres right-hander Jake Peavy that they are discussing plans for replacithe Cang players possibly headed to San Diego, two agents said Wednesday.

And while that perhaps qualifies as progress – the Braves have the need and the means to take Peavy off John Moores’ hands – the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are known to be covering themselves in the same manner. It’s the nature of these things, contingencies wrapped in what-ifs.

The Cardinals have the means–but will they spend the money?