Jake Peavy finally said yes to the Chicago White Sox, and Victor Martinez will take aim at the Green Monster.

Highlighting a flurry of deals finished just before the trade deadline, Peavy was shipped out of San Diego on Friday while Martinez went from the rebuilding Cleveland Indians to a contender in Boston.

"What we're getting in Victor is a middle-of-the-order, switch-hitting batter who can catch, play first, DH," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It's a very valuable piece. There are a lot of things to like about Victor."

Scott Rolen, Jarrod Washburn, Orlando Cabrera and Nick Johnson were other notable players on the move as teams stocked up for the stretch drive.

Roy Halladay, however, stayed put. After fielding offers for their coveted ace, the Toronto Blue Jays decided to retain the 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner — at least for now.

The biggest surprise of the day was probably Peavy. Sidelined with an injured ankle, he finally agreed to join the White Sox, who landed him with their second pitch of the season.

Locked in a crowded race for the AL Central title, Chicago sent four young pitchers to the Padres: Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter and Adam Russell. The teams barely beat the 4 p.m. EDT deadline to make deals without waivers.

"It came together very quickly, probably in the last 30-20 seconds," White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said. "We were really concerned that it wasn't going to happen."

In May, the Padres and White Sox agreed to a deal for Peavy, but the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner turned it down. This time, he agreed to waive his no-trade clause and join the AL pennant race.

"He never said no, he just said 'not yet,' " Williams said.

The 28-year-old Peavy is 6-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 13 starts with the Padres this season but has been on the disabled list since June 13 with a strained tendon in his right ankle. Williams said the White Sox don't expect Peavy to pitch until the end of August.

The Red Sox hope Martinez will provide an offensive boost right away.

Looking for a big bat, they acquired the All-Star slugger for right-hander Justin Masterson and minor league pitchers Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.

It was the Indians' second major trade in 72 hours — they dealt reigning Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Martinez has split his time at catcher and first base this season. He is batting .284 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs.