Pavano's Recovery

[Fishercat]

Carl Pavano, who resumed facing hitters on Sunday, might not be ready to start for the Yankees on April 15, the first time the team will need a fifth starter.
Pavano will begin the season on the DL with a back injury. "We're talking 25 or 30 innings he's going to probably need -- and maybe more," manager Joe Torre said. "He may need 35 innings, because he hasn't pitched since the middle of last year, basically." If that's the case, Pavano likely wouldn't come off the DL until April 29. Because of a favorable early-season schedule, that's just the second time the club would need a fifth starter.

Pavano seems like a Wild Card for this time. Johnson should be good, Mussina is somewhat reliable and decline, and who knows what the rest will do, but if Pavano's on, he can provide a solid third option in the rotation, if not, there's another 10 mil down the toilet.

[General]

10 million for the Yanks is nothing.

[realmofotalk]

10 million for the Yanks is nothing.

Yeah, but you know whiny Red Sox fans love to point out the payroll disparity between the Yankees and Red Sox.

[Fishercat]

General: I realize that, but it's still 10 million down the toilet. Not like the Red Sox haven't wasted money (Byung. Hyun. Kim.). Just saying that it was a bad investment.

Mofo: Bite me. I win. Woohoo.

[General]

It wasn't a bad investment. It just didn't go down right. A young ground ball pitcher who has already had postseason success is a good gamble to take. You'll take it with Beckett, we took it with Pavano.

[Fishercat]

Well, the problem with Beckett is he has health problems, whether they be blisters or otherwise. Pavano's problem is that he's only had one great, full year.