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Yanks Plan On Keeping Pavano

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As always, plenty of clubs need starting pitching.  As long as everyone is healthy, the Yankees may have a mild surplus once Phil Hughes and/or Tyler Clippard are ready.  Whether Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina can post healthy seasons is unknown, but at this moment everyone is fine.  Another open question is whether Kei Igawa can act as a credible fourth starter.

Even oft-injured Carl Pavano is feeling good; he did a decent job against the Red Sox yesterday.  It has been speculated for months that the Yankees want to trade the 31 year-old, perhaps this spring. 

However, Peter Abraham of the Journal News says Brian Cashman has maintained since winter that he will not trade Pavano.  Abraham quotes Cashman as saying he’s not in the business of selling low.  The Yanks would prefer not to pick up $10-11MM of the $21MM owed to Pavano over the next two years.  If they wait and he and the rest of the Yankee staff has a healthy, effective April, perhaps trade talks will be revisited.  Otherwise the Yankees might wait to see what happens with Roger Clemens.

One thing’s for sure – the Yanks won’t finish the season with a Mussina-Pettitte-Wang-Igawa-Pavano rotation. 

Interest In Pavano

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Yesterday I mentioned that Carl Pavano had his first healthy effort this spring, a major step towards a trade.  The Cards, Rockies, and Mariners have expressed interest in the past.

Today, a George King report indicates some other possible suitors.  King mentions that scouts from the Braves, Mets, and White Sox attended the game at which Pavano pitched.  Whether they were there to watch him is an open question, but it is reasonable.

A cross-town trade would be particularly interesting, although the Mets are not short on Pavano-like options.

First Step Toward Pavano Trade

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As George King writes, Carl Pavano had the chance today to show all the pitching-starved teams in baseball that he’s finally healthy.  If the Yanks will swallow $15MM or so of Pavano’s $23MM over the next two seasons, they can clear a spot for Phil Hughes and pick up a prospect.

Pavano didn’t embarrass himself or get injured facing the tough Phillies lineup this afternoon.  He faced off with Cole Hamels, allowing one run in two innings of work.  The Cardinals and Rockies have shown interest in the past, though the Rockies don’t need him with their current depth.

Tim’s take: Chance of Pavano staying healthy and getting traded by July – 40%.

A-Rod Not Headed To Cubs

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I spent a good amount of time speculating on possible new teams for Alex Rodriguez in 2008, especially the Cubs.  I even assigned the Cubs’ chances at 15%.  However, Rodriguez was fairly frank yesterday about that idea:

"Whoever writes that couldn’t be more wrong."

He loves the American League, the Yankees, and the nonstop media buzz.  I do think Chicago is a top below New York and Boston for media insanity.  We’ve got just two major newspapers here, and only Jay Mariotti can be counted on for something offensive on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, David Wright professed his willingness to move off third base if the Mets could acquire Rodriguez.  The only alternative for Wright in ’08 would be left field, followed by first base after that.

A-Rod To Stay?

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The latest quote from Alex Rodriguez:

"I want to be a Yankee and I understand my contract and I understand my options.  My goal is to go in with Derek and Mo and open the new stadium. It’s pretty clear."

The interpretation is that he wants to be a Yankee in 2009.  However, the above statement is very different from, "I will not exercise my out clause."  Many folks still think A-Rod is leaving the Yankees after this season.  Most likely, he hasn’t made any kind of decision yet.  The A-Rod/Rivera storylines will follow us around all season, like it or not.

Rockies Monitoring Pavano

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Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies are keeping a close eye on Carl Pavano’s situation in New York, prepared to swoop in if he’s pushed out.  Colorado will be scouting the 31 year-old righthander this spring. 

Renck believes the Rockies might only have to pay $10-12MM of Pavano’s remaining $22MM for the next two seasons. Dan O’Dowd could ship out Josh Fogg or Byung-Hyun Kim to further balance salaries as well as create some room for Pavano.  As it stands, the Rockies have quite a bit of starting pitching depth.  Several promising youngsters might not be able to crack the rotation this spring unless some trades are made. 

What If Rivera Just Retires After ’07?

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A reader recently brought an interesting New York Times article to my attention.  Jack Curry’s article from December 10th, 1999 discusses Mariano Rivera’s devotion to God.  Some interesting quotes:

Curry:

"Finally, after he half-sobbed and half-spoke for 20 minutes, Rivera, who is 30, told the congregation that he would play baseball for four more years before retiring to become an evangelical minister or preacher."

Rivera:

"I would love to play as long as I can, but I think if I play four, five, or six more years, that’s enough and then I’ll stop.  Maybe it’s one year.  Maybe it’s two. You never know."

Curry:

"Then he stopped speculating and reaffirmed what he had told the congregation: ’Like I said, I want to play four more years.’"

Rivera:

"If I came to be a free agent, I wouldn’t think about going anywhere else. I want to finish my career with the Yankees.  Inside of me, I’m thinking four more years.  That will be enough.  I love the game, but I love God more."

By all accounts, Rivera should’ve retired by now.  I’m not sure what happened in the last six years to change Rivera’s mind.  But what if instead of being the object of his first-ever free agent bidding war, the Hall of Fame closer simply retires after 2007? 

Yankees Won’t Have Advantage For Rivera

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New York papers put out at least seven articles concerning Mariano Rivera today, even though almost nothing new was said.  I took the liberty of summing it up for you:

Rivera on free agency:

"Everybody has the same shot. The Yankees will not have an advantage. Everyone will have the same shot."

Jeter on Rivera leaving:

"Mo ain’t going anywhere. Mo will be right here next year. … I’m sure he’d like an extension. I’d love for him to have an extension, too. I’m sure they’ll work it out."

Not much new here.  But it’s spring training and these guys have deadlines.  I apologize for adding any fuel to the fire; I’m going to compensate with some Royals material today or tomorrow.  This website is the last place you’re going to find an East Coast bias, but New York churns out more rumors and articles than anywhere.  My two cents: Jeter is right, he’s not going anywhere.

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