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« Brewers Notes: Washburn, Davis, Kendall | Main | Yankees Notes: Mitre, Gaudin, Wang »
Indians May Look At Pavano As Backup Plan
If Jake Westbrook isn't fully recovered from Tommy John surgery in time to start the 2010 season, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer proposes that the Tribe might turn to a familiar face --- free-agent starter Carl Pavano.
The Indians want at least one veteran to anchor their young starting rotation, and if Westbrook comes out of his Puerto Rican winter league starts at less than 100 percent, that will leave the combustible Fausto Carmona as Cleveland's default ace. By signing Pavano, the Tribe would be bringing back an experienced arm who had a 3.83::1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 starts in Cleveland last season before he was traded to Minnesota on August 7.Hoynes noted that Pavano made $4.35MM after reaching several incentive clauses in the one-year contract he signed with the Indians last winter, and will be looking for at least that total in guaranteed money for next season. This might make Pavano too expensive for the Tribe, though his agent Tom O'Connell told Hoynes that Pavano would talk to the Twins and Indians first, as Cleveland was the team who gave Pavano a shot after his disastrous, injury-plagued stint in New York.
What do you think, Tribe fans? If Westbrook can't go, do you think it would be a good move to bring Pavano back into the fold?
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I don't see why not.
seems good to me
Posted by: JoeyE | November 10, 2009 at 08:38 PM
They might not get the chance. According to the rumors, the Twins are getting the first shot, and they want him back.
Posted by: patsfanatic83 | November 10, 2009 at 08:40 PM
I don't follow the Indians closely but I do know that they have one of the best systems. What's the status on those young arms?
Posted by: humannature | November 10, 2009 at 08:42 PM
No young arms are ready, at least not at an appropriate level for MLB. Unfortunately, I think Pavano pitched well enough to price himself out of the Indian's plans. Here's a question... if Westbrook fails to get healthy and can't pitch for us at all next year, is there any insurance money linked to any contracts? In a way, it almost seems like Westbrook's situation with the Indians has similarities to Pavano's situation with the Yankees.
Posted by: Martin | November 10, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Ugh! Got nothng personal against Carl Pavano but I don't see the point for the Indians. 2010 is the year to find out what they have. Throw Masterson, Huff, Carmona, Carrasco, Sowers, Laffey, Rondon, etc. into the rotation and let them sort themselves out.
Posted by: MickS | November 10, 2009 at 09:07 PM
At this point, I think the rotation will be Westbrook (if healthy), Carmona, Laffey, Sowers, and Huff. Masterson could be long relief or a possible starter if any of those falter. Carrasco needs more seasoning, and Rondon could be a midseason replacement if necessary. There's no rush on that; we know he'll be ready for 2011 when Westbrook is gone. Maybe by then Jeanmar Gomez will be ready or another potential stud in waiting will make himself known.
Posted by: Martin | November 10, 2009 at 09:11 PM
If the Indians are hoping that Westbrook is healthy and productive to start the season (and they are, of course) it's not because they want him to anchor the 2010 rotation but because they want to deal him for some young talent.
Posted by: MickS | November 10, 2009 at 09:19 PM
I would rather take a chance on someone like Chien Ming-Wang who is going to get non tendered by the Yankees. He has a much higher upside than someone like Pavano and he will be cheaper.
Posted by: wigwamwarrior | November 10, 2009 at 09:21 PM
"I would rather take a chance on someone like Chien Ming-Wang who is going to get non tendered by the Yankees. He has a much higher upside than someone like Pavano and he will be cheaper."
Yankees aren't going to let Wang go just like that. He's got too much value for them to let him go and he would lose some of his marketability (in Taiwan) if he goes elsewhere. He would be stupid to leave the Yankees for another team.
Posted by: ericbrat20 | November 10, 2009 at 09:29 PM
How would he be stupid if he's working as a mop up man in N.Y.?
Posted by: wigwamwarrior | November 10, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Why, so they can just deal him again?
I don't think it makes sense for the Twins to give starts to Pavano. He is still a pretty big injury risk, he just isn't worth the starts on a rebuilding team, IMO.
Posted by: R y a n | November 10, 2009 at 09:50 PM
"How would he be stupid if he's working as a mop up man in N.Y.?"
1) He won't be back completely until at least mid-April. The Yankees can afford to wait out his injury, the Indians can't.
2)He loses marketability (in Taiwan) if he leaves NY AKA he loses endorsements.
3)The Yankees are the defending champs, Cleveland is an unknown. He would be leaving a perennial championship contender to try and start over in Cleveland. If winning means anything to him he stays.
So in conclusion even if Cleveland offers him slightly more than the Yankees do he won't leave because he can make up the difference in endorsements in Taiwan and he would be playing for a contender.
Posted by: ericbrat20 | November 10, 2009 at 10:01 PM
MickS,
While it is nice to get a look at your young pitching, you NEED to have at least one vet in there that can get you innings.
If you go all young pitchers you're gonna put way, way too much on your bullpen (which is just as young), and quite possibly ruin more arms, including guys like Chris Perez and Tony Sipp.
You need guys that can get innings. Having a healthy Westbrook will help a ton. I haven't heard anything so far to suggest he won't be, but if for some reason he can't go, I would welcome Pavano back under the right deal.
Posted by: Hermie13 | November 10, 2009 at 10:04 PM
StandbyMe,
Did you really just say the Twins are rebuilding? Cause that's what it sounds like.
Twins are the favorites to win the Central again next year (at least so far). They definitely aren't rebuilding.
Posted by: Hermie13 | November 10, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Why don't the Mets do what they did with Milwood and Pavano and go after high-end guys like Sheets or Bedard?
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 10, 2009 at 10:22 PM
"StandbyMe,
Did you really just say the Twins are rebuilding? Cause that's what it sounds like.
Twins are the favorites to win the Central again next year (at least so far). They definitely aren't rebuilding.
Posted by: Hermie13 | November 10, 2009 at 10:06 PM"
I did not say that.
Read my post, I said "why? so they can deal him again?"
The Indians dealt away Pavano. The original post refers to the INDIANS having interest in Pavano again.
I was referring to the Indians rebuilding.
Posted by: R y a n | November 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I would like having Pavano back for another season while the young starting arms are in transition. The issue I have is if Pavano is seeking a multi-year contract, this is where the risk is more involved obviously. If they are going to sink 4 million a year for atleast two years I'd rather see them use it on a bat (Nick Johnson perhaps) or a pitcher with a little more upside that Carl Pavano.
Posted by: SoFla20 | November 10, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I think the Indians can have him. His bad starts outnumber his good starts and its annoying to watch either a brilliant start or a far more frequent lackluster start every time he pitches. This guy consistently throws strikes but gets lit up because his stuff isn't good anymore
Posted by: coryc711 | November 11, 2009 at 09:39 PM