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Pavano is a risky bargain
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Torre's new book paints a poor picture of Pavano. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
As I was walking through the mall with my family the other night, winter clearance specials were all over. Suddenly, clothing that was overpriced at Christmas had become a steal at 70% off. Deal shopping often brings out the worst in shoppers, fighting to get the best deal simply because something is a low price. Never mind if the goods were defective or irregular, thery are a steal! In free agency, the same things happens with slightly damaged goods. Case in point is the Indians signing of free agent pitcher Carl Pavano.
Pavano is famous for receiving one of the worst free agent contracts in MLB history, when he signed a four year $39.95 million contract in December 2004 with the New York Yankees. The rest of the story is history, with Pavano going on to only start 26 games in four seasons, and becoming one of the most hated Yankees in recent history. Pavano fought injuries, but also questions about his desire to play through pain. The history is quite telling, and former Yankees manager Joe Torre's new book is also not that pleasing to Pavano.
Pavano has real talent, but the talent is often found in a sling or under a surgeon's scalpel. He has an impressive resume, but not for the right reasons. Initially a key piece of the Red Sox trade with the Expos to acquire Pedro Martinez in 1998, Pavano floundered in Montreal with injuries. He only lasted four seasons before being sent to the Marlins in 2002. While the Marlins' World Series Championship in 2003 was helped by Pavano, it is the only piece of Pavano's major league career that stands out for his play on the field.
After he cashed in with the Yankees, Pavano seemed to be on cruise control. He did little more than collect a paycheck in four seasons. Now that he is several million dollars richer, he is highly damaged goods who the Indians need to perform. Even at a paltry one year, $1.5 million contract, he is a huge risk for the Indians. Being pencilled into the third spot in the rotation, he needs to start a minimum of twenty-five games this season, and pitch like its 2004 all over again. If Pavano only reaches eighteen starts, he begins to increase his incentives. Given Pavano's past, that would be a pretty tall order.
The Indians have to be aware of the risk of gambling on a player with Pavano's history, but that's the chance they took by going bargain shopping again in free agency. There was other bargains available in the bin, but few third starters come at the price tag of $1.5 million for the season. If he can deliver, Mark Shapiro's roll of the dice seems brilliant, until free agency comes again in the fall of 2009.
With no option year for Pavano, in the event of a big season, he probably will stamp his ticket out of the 216 area code. Then again, unless the Indians can develop a quality starter out of Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, or Anthony Reyes, they will be reaching back into the MLB equivalent of the $5 DVD bin at Wal-Mart.
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