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December 09, 2007
Yanks Elect To Keep Pavano In The Family
From George King -
"American Idle" Carl Pavano spoke to Brian Cashman on Friday at the Stadium and said he is going to accept a minor-league assignment after the Yankees release him from the final year of a disastrous four-year, $39.95 million contract.
Needing room on the 40-man roster so they can add Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees hatched the idea of cutting Pavano. The right-hander had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early June and isn't expected to be ready to pitch until July at the earliest.
Under the release plan, Pavano would get the $11 million he is owed for the 2008 season and the $1.95 million buyout he would have coming to him, because the Yankees aren't going to pick up a $15 million option for 2009.
Pavano, 31, can't return to Arizona because his questionable work ethic ticked off fitness guru Brett Fischer last winter. Pavano is leaning toward accepting the Yankees' minor-league offer so he can have a place to rehab his elbow. By keeping him in the system, the Yankees protect themselves from Pavano healing ahead of schedule (pigs have a better chance of flying) and pitching effectively for another team.
Personally, I would cut him and make him rehab his elbow on his own. Having the fear of him "healing ahead of schedule" and "pitching effectively for another team," is a joke. I'd take that risk and prevent him from having a bad influence on any of the prospects that he may bump into while in the minors. Plus, it gets him out of the organization - and cuts his ties. When - and it will happen - Carl does something off the field that makes the press (in 2008), then it will be all on him and not the Yankees.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 9, 2007 08:29 AM
Comments
It could be an insurance issue. The Yankees didn't really 'lose' all the money they gave to Pavano.
Posted by: Andrew ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 9, 2007 09:00 AM
is it just me who remembers one aspect of the run-up to last season as a series of articles about how hard Pavano was working in Arizona to be ready for the 2007? I thought Fischer had been complimentary of Carl. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly.
Posted by: Nick from Washington Heights at December 9, 2007 11:55 AM
It's just not you Nick.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at December 9, 2007 02:49 PM
grrr i dont like this guy staying with this team. It's almost impossible to regain the trust of a team when you haven't pitched well since my senior year of high school (i'm a senior in college now)
Posted by: Straylightrise at December 9, 2007 04:48 PM
I'm surprised the article speaks about Pavano like he's thinking about pitching again -- or that the Yankees think he will pitch again. I just assumed Pavano was going to retire.
Posted by: baileywalk at December 9, 2007 11:34 PM
Supposedly he told Tommy John that he wants to pitch again!Look Pavano is part of that club that includes Prior,Wood,and Clement .It's like Carl who?He's become a joke,Cash should let him rehab for another team and he might be Beckett part 2 BUT who cares.Nobody wants to see that"bum" back in pinstripes!
Posted by: butchie22 at December 11, 2007 10:14 AM