| The signing of Cliff Lee last week leaves Carl Pavano as arguably the most sought after free agent pitcher left this offseason. Apologies to the rumored to retire Andy Pettitte since it would be a shocker for Pettitte to sign with any team other than the Yankees.
Speaking of the Yankees, ask any Yankee fan and they can tell you the risk of signing Pavano to a multi-year deal. His four year 39.95 million dollar deal signed with the Yankees before the 2005 season can be characterized in one word. Disastrous! In Pavano’s four injury-riddled seasons with the Yankees he logged only 145 2/3 innings while posting an ERA just over 5.00. Just mention the rumored asking price of 3 years 30 million to any Yankee fan and you are sure to get a priceless reaction. The laundry list of Pavano past injuries includes his right shoulder, bruised buttocks, elbow strain and two broken ribs from an automobile accident he failed to report to the Yankees until 13 days after it happened in August of 2006. Sure Pavano posted tantalizing numbers in 2010 with 17 Wins, a 3.75 ERA and 1.195 WHIP. But consider that Pavano pitched 221 innings in 2010. It was only his second season of 125+ innings since 2004 when he was 28. Pavano will be 35 in 2011 with a lot more mileage on his oft injured body. Every baseball fan knows the value of good pitching but the prospect of paying Pavano 30 million over 3 years seems too risky. If Pavano can come close to duplicating his 2010 production over the next 3 years 30 million will be a bargain. But with his past history 30 million over 3 years seems like an enormous risk to the team that decides to sign him. |
The Risk of Signing Carl Pavano to a Multi Year Deal
December 21, 2010Angels Not Out on Adrian Beltre
December 21, 2010| Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the Angels are not out on Adrian Beltre as earlier reported. But he says they remain far apart in contract talks.
Rosenthal reports Beltre’s Agent Scott Boras is asking for 5 years in the 85-90 million dollar range. The Angels are reportedly offering a 5 year deal in the 70 million range. This should be interesting as Angels Owner Arte Moreno has stated he will do what it takes to win. But the Angels have yet to make a big splash in the free agent market this off season after reportedly losing out on Carl Crawford. |
Athletics Make Harden Deal Official
December 21, 2010| Jane Lee of MLB.com is reporting the Athletics deal with Rich Harden is official.Harden is expected to compete for the 5th spot in the A’s rotation.
Harden’s massive potential and history of injuries has been well documented. He seems like he has been around forever but will be just 29 heading into the 2011 season. At this point in his career he is trying to salvage any hint of the potential he showed earlier in his career. |
Angels Will Not Sign Adrian Beltre
December 21, 2010| Joe McDonnell is reporting the Angels will not sign Adrian Beltre.This is interesting as the Angeles had seemingly became the front runners for Beltre after losing out on Carl Crawford.
There were numerous reports of the Angels presenting Beltre with a “significant” contract offer last week. Beltre already reportedly shot down a 5 year 64 million dollar offer from the Athletics. Rumor was he was using the Athletics offer as leverage against other teams. |
Blue Jays Sign Corey Patterson
December 21, 2010| Multiple sources are reporting Corey Patterson has signed with the Blue Jays. Terms of the deal have not been announced.
Patterson spent the 2010 season in Baltimore stealing 21 bases but logging a .315 OBP in 340 plate appearances. He has not been a full time player since the 2007 season. If he earns significant playing time he could steal 25-30 bases. Patterson has never lived up to the 5 tool hype he had when he came up with the Cubs in 2000. It is amazing that he has stuck around the league so long with a career .292 OBP. |
Brandon Webb Not Expected to Make Decision Today
December 21, 2010| John Morosi of Fox Sports is reporting that Brandon Webb will not make a decision today about signing for 2011.
Webb has been linked to several teams including the Rangers, Cubs and Nationals. |
Brandon Webb NOT in Texas Meeting with Rangers
December 21, 2010
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Brandon Webb to Sign with Rangers?
December 21, 2010| T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com is reporting Brandon Webb is in Texas and deal with the Rangers may be close. Webb reportedly met with Ron Washington and Pitching Coach Mike Maddux.
The Cubs have also reportedly expressed interest in Webb. |
Nationals Interested in Carl Pavano?
December 20, 2010Bill Ladson of MLB.com is reporting representatives for Pavano had discussions with the Nationals on Sunday.
Pavano is arguably the most sought after free agent starting pitcher still available.
He is rumored to be asking for a deal in the 3 year 30 million dollar range.
He is coming off back to back effective seasons. He helped the Twins win the American League Central Division with 17 wins and a 3.75 ERA last season.
His past history of injuries definitely adds an element of risk to the team he ultimately signs with.
Angels Interested in Scott Podsednik?
December 20, 2010| Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting the Angels are interested in signing Scott Podsednik. Podsednik did not perform to the level the Dodgers had hoped after a trade deadline deal in 2010.
Podsednik has always had the knock of being strictly a base stealer. He will be 35 when the 2011 season starts and you have to wonder how much he can really provide other than stealing 30 bases? |
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