It hasn’t been two weeks since San Diego Padres ace hurler Jake Peavy turned down a trade to the Chicago White Sox. He had every right to do so, though it was the first of, it seems, several options he will get to upgrade from the Fryars to a contending team during this season.

After Peavy turned down the deal, MLBTradeRumors.com had the Sox chasing Houston starter Roy Oswalt and Mariner Erik Bedard. Now, however, the Houston Chronicle reports that Oswalt won’t consider a trade there either. He has three years left on his deal and also has a no-trade clause, according to the Chicago Tribune.

What is it about the White Sox that has made these star players say no way? At 24-25, the Sox are in second place and right in the thick of the AL Central race, just a bit better pitching and offensive production from the infield away from making another run. The team won the 2005 World Series and won the division last year in game 163.

General manager Kenny Williams at least makes an effort when he has the chance to make the moves it takes to make the Sox competitive. And while the south side of Chicago has its stereotypes and its issues Chicago is a fantastic city.

With Peavy, there were rumors that he didn’t want to play for Ozzie Guillen. I don’t believe they were ever substantiated. There was also talk that he preferred the National League, where he is familiar with the surroundings and can continue to hit.

Okay, fair enough. And these guys, with their collectively bargained no-trade deals, have earned the right to have significant say in where they go to play if their current teams decide they don’t want them or can’t afford them anymore.

But this just seems weird to me. The White Sox would seem to be a destination where players would want to go, where they could be assured that the resources necessary to give them a chance to fight for a ring would most often be in place.

I don’t have an answer for this one, nor, I guess, does two instances create a trend. It’s just one of those things that made me go “huh.”