Padres pitcher Jake Peavy could gain more insight into his future when baseball's general managers meetings begin in Dana Point on Monday.

The status of Peavy, who has been the subject of rampant trade speculation for the last month, will keep Padres GM Kevin Towers busy as he meets with representatives from the league's 29 other teams over the next four days.

Since the end of a 99-loss season on Sept. 28, and with the club's payroll expected to be significantly lower than last year's $73.6 million, Towers has said the Padres will focus heavily on the trade market this winter and that almost every player on his roster is open for discussion.

Talks could involve shortstop Khalil Greene, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and really anyone on the roster save All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. But the Padres have no bigger bargaining chip than Peavy, who is a year removed from winning the National League Cy Young Award.

Coming off a season in which he went 10-11 with a 2.85 ERA, Peavy -- who is under contract through 2012, with a team option for 2013 -- could bring the Padres a large haul if Towers can match up with the right trade partner.

"There is no time restriction on moving Jake," Towers said. "We will act when we receive what we consider a very good baseball deal. If nothing presents itself that looks to be attractive to us, we will retain him for the 2009 season."

One thing is certain: Any package for Peavy must include a top pitching prospect. If the Padres subtract the ace from their rotation, that would leave Chris Young as their only proven starter.

Unfortunately for Towers, that could be a sticking point with one of the Padres' primary trade partners: the Atlanta Braves.

Since the two teams began talking several weeks ago, Braves GM Frank Wren has stated publicly that he won't part with Tommy Hanson, a 22-year-old right-hander with a 2.73 ERA in 64 minor league appearances. Wren has also said he'd prefer not to deal several of the club's other top prospects.

"This is probably a tough trade to make even notwithstanding Jake's no-trade clause," said Barry Axelrod, Peavy's agent. "For the Padres to trade away a young former Cy Young winner, you probably need to a get a lot back in exchange."

Minnesota received four prospects, including center fielder Carlos Gomez, from the New York Mets for pitcher Johan Santana, who had only one year remaining on his contract. Cleveland received three players, including top prospect Matt LaPorta, from Milwaukee for a half-season of ace CC Sabathia.

Baltimore picked up five players -- including outfielder Adam Jones, Double-A pitching prospect Chris Tillman and closer George Sherrill -- from Seattle for Erik Bedard. And then there's Arizona's Dan Haren, who was part of a six-for-two deal between Oakland and the Diamondbacks.

"To me, what's difficult is if you move a guy and don't like what you're getting back," Towers said. "If it doesn't satisfy us, we don't do it."

Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.