Looking to bolster their starting rotation, the Indians are taking a chance on Carl Pavano.
Pavano and the Indians have agreed to a one-year Major League deal that was to be announced Tuesday afternoon. The deal does not include an option. Financial terms were not immediately available.
Pavano, who turns 33 on Thursday, is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued four-year stint with the Yankees. With New York in 2008, he appeared in seven games and was 4-2 with a 5.77 ERA in 34 1/3 innings.
Over the course of his four-year, $40 million deal with the Yanks, Pavano appeared in just 26 games. He threw 145 2/3 innings over a four-year span. He missed all of 2006 because of injury. He broke in with the Montreal Expos in 1998.
The Indians designated first baseman Mike Aubrey for assignment to make room for Pavano on the 40-man roster.
This is a low-risk venture in my opinion. No one expects much from Pavano after his injury-plagued run in New York, but if it can produce in the role of veteran starter, then it's a bonus for the Tribe. We have plenty of options for the 3-5 spots in the rotation, so we're bound to find three that will work.
I will say this though, the Indians may not have made the flashiest moves this offseason, but Mark Shapiro has addressed every weakness that he identified when last season ended. If these moves work out, he'll be heralded as a genius. And if they don't work out, then this team may be forever doomed. I'm hoping for the more positive outcome.
By the way, just about a month until pitchers and catchers report for spring training! :)
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