Pavano signs with Indians for 1 year 1.5M

[gotribe31]

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Indians are in serious discussions with free agent starter Carl Pavano. Pavano will visit Cleveland soon and a deal could be wrapped up quickly. We'll have to see if Pavano can come close to the $2MM guaranteed Mike Hampton received from the Astros.

[British_Pharaoh]

hmmm dunno how I feel

he's better than anyone of the other guys fighting for spots 3-5 in the rotation when healthy
it's low risk

I'd like us to sign Pavano AND Mulder to incentive laden deals

[British_Pharaoh]

actually after glossing over his career stats I fear we may have better alternatives within

[Yinzer Hater]

actually after glossing over his career stats I fear we may have better alternatives within

I agree. We've been down this road before with Jason Johnson who is a lesser talent than Pavano but that's irrelevant taking up innings away from some of the young arms.

[gotribe31]

actually after glossing over his career stats I fear we may have better alternatives within

I agree. We've been down this road before with Jason Johnson who is a lesser talent than Pavano but that's irrelevant taking up innings away from some of the young arms.

I think the only way he actually takes innings away from the young arms is if he is healthy and effective. If so, its worth it. If not, then good riddance.

[Stu]

2 good years, a lot of bad. if they only have a few million to sign someone, id rather they sign rocco and cut looch.

[skatingtripods]

The hell with that. We're better off with in-house options.

Unless we can sign him as an NRI to spring training. Then I'm relatively ok with it.

[Yinzer Hater]

2 good years, a lot of bad. if they only have a few million to sign someone, id rather they sign rocco and cut looch.

I don't disagree with signing him if they get him on the cheap but like you say if they only have a few million its a waste of money when we already have enough young arms.

[Steve Buffum]

Serious:

Pavano has skill, but he should be viewed through the lens of 2004 as gork career year. His K rate is low, hovering around 6 from 2002 to 2004, then dropping even lower with the Yankees. He's generally a groundball pitcher, although he wasn't in 2008 (small sample, coming off many injuries). Years ago I would have argued for him: now, I'm not sure he has the upside of, say Anthony Reyes. I'm not sure I'd give him anything but an NRI, and I doubt he'd take that. Sounds like a Washington National to me.

Flippant:

He'd be the perfect mentor for Adam Miller: whist on Mondays, euchre on Tuesdays, backgammon on Wednesdays ... only a seasoned veteran really knows how to pass that DL time in the most productive way possible.

[noles1]

Carl f*cking Pavano...

Jesus...

[TitoFrancona]

hmmm dunno how I feel

he's better than anyone of the other guys fighting for spots 3-5 in the rotation when healthy
it's low risk

I'd like us to sign Pavano AND Mulder to incentive laden deals

No he's not. He had a career year in 2004 never to pitch well again. He's thrown 145 innings total over the last 4 years. It's nearly impossible that he'll stay healthy even half a season let alone an entire season.

And when healthy, outside of his one career year, he's pretty much Jeremy Sowers.

Hey if it's a minor league deal that's one thing, but if this is a major league deal, forget the money, taking up a spot on the 25 man roster is simply a joke. There's 0 potential for Pavano to contribute anything to this team.

[British_Pharaoh]

hmmm dunno how I feel

he's better than anyone of the other guys fighting for spots 3-5 in the rotation when healthy
it's low risk

I'd like us to sign Pavano AND Mulder to incentive laden deals

No he's not. He had a career year in 2004 never to pitch well again. He's thrown 145 innings total over the last 4 years. It's nearly impossible that he'll stay healthy even half a season let alone an entire season.

And when healthy, outside of his one career year, he's pretty much Jeremy Sowers.

Hey if it's a minor league deal that's one thing, but if this is a major league deal, forget the money, taking up a spot on the 25 man roster is simply a joke. There's 0 potential for Pavano to contribute anything to this team.

read on please

[chitowntribephan]

Will be interesting to see who, if any, rebounds among Pavano, Brad Penny, Freddy Garcia, Mark Prior, and Mark Mulder (all the 28-32 years old SPs with significant DL time last year so excluding Pedro, Schilling, Smoltz and such) and if any will be worth their contract. You have to assume that Shapiro has inquired into all of them and, by signing Pavano, determined that he is most worth the cost.

Will also be interesting which one of these pitchers hits the DL first and if they get injured before Milton Bradley does!

BTW, some good lines from the MLBTradeRumors comments section that need to be passed along:

Prediction: Pavano lands on the 60 day DL one week into spring training with a torn vagina.
Posted by: jlemoine | January 06, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Pavano will get injured on the way to cleveland.
Posted by: Mr M.Moss | January 06, 2009 at 11:17 AM

No after contract is signed, he hurts his chest muscules, from laughing out loud so hard that someone is actually signing him.
Posted by: Cyyoung | January 06, 2009 at 11:25 AM

[peeker643]

Injury prone, work ethic issues and a reputed asshole. I was only kidding a couple months back when I said he'd be worth a look.

He's still living and earning based on the '03 Series.

For those waiting for me to actually disagree with bringing in a vet over a kid, here you go.

[DrPoove]

[Pressrunnr]

Of that group, Pavano's about the last one I'd sign, all things being equal. I agree, anything other than a NRI -- essentially treating the signing like a lottery ticket -- is just a waste, particularly given what else is out there for a little bit more in a buyers' market (a buyers' market that, if history is any guide, won't last.) I guess the real test will be how they spin it -- if it's just treated as a minor, low-risk, high-reward signing, I'm OK with it; if they declare him their fourth or fifth starter and call it an offseason, that would be a major disappointment.

[consigliere]

Not sure I understand this unless they also plan to bring in ANOTHER starter in addition to Pavano. Can't believe he'd get more than an NRI deal, which for a vet is I believe around 900K give or take $100K if he is rostered.

I'd rather take a shot at a Freddy Garcia if we are going this route.

[The Brook]

Hate it.

[Steve Buffum]

Hey, Tony, is your favorite player really Chicago Cub Jeff Stevens?

[fundamentals]

I think Pavano could help this team. He is a risk, but so was Paul Byrd and that worked out fairly well at times for this franchise. Peeker, 1 out of 3.

[TitoFrancona]

I think Pavano could help this team. He is a risk, but so was Paul Byrd and that worked out fairly well at times for this franchise. Peeker, 1 out of 3.

The risk on signing Byrd isn't even close to the risk they take with Pavano. He's had 2 good years in his career. He hasn't been healthy since 2004.

This is the same guy that always crops up on these forums from time to time when we want to point out how stupid the Yankees are in signing free agents.

The sad thing is that if this is a 900 grand deal, it's still a waste of money since the most you could expect from Pavano is to throw about 30 innings the entire year, and not very well at that.

[G-Strang]

I'd much rather take a shot on Mulder

[consigliere]

Hey, Tony, is your favorite player really Chicago Cub Jeff Stevens?

Hey, yeah, gotta update that now....although am afraid to put someone else there in fear they get traded.


Talking to Jeff last week we had a laugh about that....he asked me who my new favorite player was gonna be (he has checked our boards from time to time and had seen that).

[TitoFrancona]

Hey, Tony, is your favorite player really Chicago Cub Jeff Stevens?

Hey, yeah, gotta update that now....although am afraid to put someone else there in fear they get traded.

Talking to Jeff last week we had a laugh about that....he asked me who my new favorite player was gonna be (he has checked our boards from time to time and had seen that).

Well hell then Tony, put Looch's name up there.

[consigliere]

Hey, Tony, is your favorite player really Chicago Cub Jeff Stevens?

Hey, yeah, gotta update that now....although am afraid to put someone else there in fear they get traded.

Talking to Jeff last week we had a laugh about that....he asked me who my new favorite player was gonna be (he has checked our boards from time to time and had seen that).

Well hell then Tony, put Looch's name up there.

Heh, good idea. I will do that.

(Just no one give me any shit for him being listed as my favorite player, capiche?)

[skatingtripods]

Tony, how the hell can David Dellucci be your new favorite player? That guy is such a hack, it's pathetic.

Oh I get it. Gutierrez is already gone, right? He was your first choice.

[TCBinaflash]

I'm in serious talks with the lunch I just threw up.

[TitoFrancona]

Hey, Tony, is your favorite player really Chicago Cub Jeff Stevens?

Hey, yeah, gotta update that now....although am afraid to put someone else there in fear they get traded.

Talking to Jeff last week we had a laugh about that....he asked me who my new favorite player was gonna be (he has checked our boards from time to time and had seen that).

Well hell then Tony, put Looch's name up there.

Heh, good idea. I will do that.

(Just no one give me any shit for him being listed as my favorite player, capiche?)

It's called taking one for the team. You are a true team player.

[Adverb Harry]

I'm in serious talks with the lunch I just threw up.

That might be the funniest thing I've read in a LONG time...I'm a teacher sitting in the middle of a study hall and just about lost it laughing. The kids are looking at me even more weirdly than usual.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Not a lot to say about this other than..... meh.

Pavano on a minor league deal is fine. Commit $1m+ on a guy though that you're only hope is that he comes back to mediocrity is just a waste of time.

[MTF]

I wonder why they're talking with Pavano, and also why Pavano's agent is leaking the deal to ESPN. Can there really be a second team interested in a dead cat like Pavano? He hasn't been a legitimate pitcher in years.

His agent must be a great salesman, and has somehow convinced the Indians Pavano is healthy enough to pitch. You'd think Shapiro has better things to do than negotiate with this kind of player. Of course, he did sign Brady frickin Anderson so I suppose anything is possible...

[jonmcq007]

The Cleveland Indians have emerged as a strong candidate to sign free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, several baseball sources told ESPN.com.

Pavano, 32, is looking to rehabilitate his career after suffering numerous injuries in four seasons with the Yankees. He posted a 9-8 record in 26 starts after signing a four-year, $39.95 million contract with New York in December 2004.

It's believed that Pavano is looking for a contract with a low base salary and incentives based upon his workload. The deal could be similar to Mike Hampton's recent contract with the Houston Astros, which will pay Hampton a guaranteed $2 million and an additional $2 million in potential bonuses.

The Florida Marlins have also been mentioned in speculation as a potential landing spot for Pavano. The Toronto Blue Jays expressed an interest in Pavano earlier this offseason but never followed through.

The Washington Nationals, another potential destination, filled two voids in their rotation this offseason by trading for Scott Olsen and signing free agent Daniel Cabrera. The St. Louis Cardinals, also in the market for a starter, have not expressed interest in Pavano.

Cleveland's rotation currently consists of Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona in the No. 1 and 2 spots. Jake Westbrook, who underwent elbow reconstruction surgery last June, could be ready to return by the middle of the season.

Aaron Laffey, Anthony Reyes, Jeremy Sowers, Scott Lewis and Zach Jackson are the other pitchers in contention for starting jobs in Cleveland in 2009.

The Indians, who finished third in the AL Central with an 81-81 record, have made a major push to upgrade their bullpen this offseason with the signing of free agent Kerry Wood and the acquisition of setup man Joe Smith in a trade with the New York Mets.

Jerry Crasnick covers Major League Baseball for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706

Thoughts??

[hornet84]

I heard Carl has been working out with Keith Foulke. They may be willing to negotiate a buy one get one free deal.

[peeker643]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11126

[carnegie44115]

Castro hasn't said anything yet, so I am not going to believe it until then. If they do sign Pavano, ok as long as it is a deal where he gets his Million or whatever he is going to get if he makes the rotation. I would think he would get less than Hampton who got $4 M including incentives, that making 13 starts last year, half of what Pavano made in four. I can't see this going more than $2 M including incentives.

[TCBinaflash]

I'm in serious talks with the lunch I just threw up.

That might be the funniest thing I've read in a LONG time...I'm a teacher sitting in the middle of a study hall and just about lost it laughing. The kids are looking at me even more weirdly than usual.

Thank you, I'll be here all season.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Looking to revive his career, Carl Pavano may be close to finding a fresh start with the Tribe.
A league source confirmed Tuesday that the right-hander is in "serious" talks with the Indians. "They are the clear frontrunner," the source added.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... Id=rss_mlb

[hornet84]

Looking to revive his career, Carl Pavano may be close to finding a fresh start with the Tribe.
A league source confirmed Tuesday that the right-hander is in "serious" talks with the Indians. "They are the clear frontrunner," the source added.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... Id=rss_mlb

If we are the frontrunners, does that mean someone else is following us ? If so, I hope we blow a hammy.

[chitownmike]

Mark Shapiro is trying to channel McGiver.
Mike

[consigliere]

Here is a question, if this is not an NRI deal and he has to be rostered:

1.) Who gets ousted from the roster? Marte? Aubrey? Mujica?

or

2.) Is this in response to a potential trade in the works now or after the deal involving some of that left-handed pitching depth we may have stashed in Buffalo (and maybe Shop in a deal)?

[skatingtripods]

Here is a question, if this is not an NRI deal and he has to be rostered:

1.) Who gets ousted from the roster? Marte? Aubrey? Mujica?

I have to think Marte. He has little flexibility and has had enough chances.

2.) Is this in response to a potential trade in the works now or after the deal involving some of that left-handed pitching depth we may have stashed in Buffalo (and maybe Shop in a deal)?

I don't think so. I think it's Shapiro trying to bring in a veteran because he feels obligated to.

If Pavano's depth for Buffalo, why not just re-sign JD Martin and send him to Buffalo?

[exiledbuckeye]

Here is a question, if this is not an NRI deal and he has to be rostered:

1.) Who gets ousted from the roster? Marte? Aubrey? Mujica?

I have to think Marte. He has little flexibility and has had enough chances.

2.) Is this in response to a potential trade in the works now or after the deal involving some of that left-handed pitching depth we may have stashed in Buffalo (and maybe Shop in a deal)?

I don't think so. I think it's Shapiro trying to bring in a veteran because he feels obligated to.

If Pavano's depth for Buffalo, why not just re-sign JD Martin and send him to Buffalo?

Didn't JD sign with the Nationals?

[skatingtripods]

Didn't JD sign with the Nationals?

Yep. That's what I meant. Just keep him for depth.

[hornet84]

Here is a question, if this is not an NRI deal and he has to be rostered:

1.) Who gets ousted from the roster? Marte? Aubrey? Mujica?

I have to think Marte. He has little flexibility and has had enough chances.

2.) Is this in response to a potential trade in the works now or after the deal involving some of that left-handed pitching depth we may have stashed in Buffalo (and maybe Shop in a deal)?

I don't think so. I think it's Shapiro trying to bring in a veteran because he feels obligated to.

If Pavano's depth for Buffalo, why not just re-sign JD Martin and send him to Buffalo?

I am for sending Pavano to Buffalo

[exiledbuckeye]

Didn't JD sign with the Nationals?

Yep. That's what I meant. Just keep him for depth.

Gotcha. My reading comprehension has been off all day. I need coffee.

[carnegie44115]

Wouldn't it just be better to let Ohka have the same chance as Pavano?

[Wahoot]

Done deal, apparently.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706

[Jennifer]

If we are the frontrunners, does that mean someone else is following us ? If so, I hope we blow a hammy.

How gross. You want not to have a sexual relationship with that broadcaster - Tom Hamilton? Thank you for sharing -- not.

[consigliere]

Didn't JD sign with the Nationals?

Yep. That's what I meant. Just keep him for depth.

Because Martin was a FA and didn't want to be depth....he wanted a legit ML shot.

[Mr. X]

Done deal, apparently.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706

Drennan just announced it as well