Carl Pavano turns 35 in January. He'd love to return to the Twins, but he also wants fair market value. I'm guessing they could probably sign him now with a three-year, $33 million contract (matching Ted Lilly's deal with the Dodgers).
The Twins need Pavano to help solidify their 2011 rotation, especially with Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn coming off elbow surgeries. How would they replace the 221 innings Pavano gave them last year?
Any team would have concerns committing $11 million to Pavano for 2013, when he'll be 37. But with top tier free agents, you have to overpay, and after Cliff Lee, he's the best starting pitcher on the market, by far.
The Nationals were determined to two top starters this winter. It's interesting seeing this from that perspective, in Tom Boswell's column from the Washington Post.
ESPN's Jayson Stark says after Pavano on the free agent market, it's "the One-Year Contract Good Luck With This Group All-Stars."
On our TwinsCentric blog, Nick Nelson gives a quick look at Pavano's potential suitors, noting that the Nationals and Astros would not have to give the Twins their first-round draft picks if they sign him.
