YANKS: Position Players and Pavano

Two quick notes. First, Yankee position players report today in Tampa. Yesterday, all they were required to do was let the team know they are in the area. They must be in the facilities today. The two hyped appearances will be for A-Rod and Bernie Williams, if he shows. No doubt, the media will be drilling A-Rod with questions about his opt-out clause while Bernie will receive more friendly questions regarding his non-roster invite from the Yankees. As of now, both Brian Cashman and Joe Torre have urged Bernie to appear and try out for a spot in camp, saying that he has a good chance at making the team if he shows them he can still perform. Bernie has been looking for more of a guaranteed deal, being that he has never had to earn a spot on the Yankees roster in his career. No word from Bernie yet as to whether he will accept but we should know in the next day or two.


Regarding Carl Pavano, Rotoworld said this yesterday:

The Rockies, who reportedly made an offer for Carl Pavano back in November, plan to scout the right-hander again this spring and could make another bid for him.

It was reported that the Rockies were prepared to pay about half of the $23 million owed to Pavano over the next two years back in November. The Yankees, though, weren't interested in doing a deal then. Maybe they'll change their minds if Pavano can't secure a rotation spot this spring. The Cardinals are another team that likely will have some interest. (source)

I highly doubt that the Yankees will trade Pavano to another team if they do not have a viable backup plan. As of now, both Pavano and Kei Igawa are question marks. If Igawa has a hard time adjusting to the Majors, that makes Pavano's role on the team even more important (that's scary). It has been mentioned that the Yankees would bring highly-touted pitching prospect Phil Hughes into the majors this season but it is undecided when that would happen. We do know that the Yankees organization is going to put a pitching limit on the 20-year-old this season, for safety reasons. Though Posada said he can see Hughes coming north with the team to start the season, I see him more coming half-way, being limited to 2-3 innings per appearance in AAA beforehand. However, if Pavano and Igawa get knocked around in the Spring Training games and Hughes is on fire, they could very well decide to promote the youngster and trade Pavano. If Igawa is doing well (and assuming Wang, Pettitte and Mussina are well also) then that will give the Yankees four good starters and the Yankees could shop Pavano for other talent or simply payroll relief.

Another LARGE question mark concerns Roger Clemens, who never knows if he is going to retire. We do know that Pettitte and Jeter have been in touch with Clemens but they won't say anything yet. If Clemens were to come early in the season then the Yanks could certainly trade Pavano, while if he were to come mid-season the Yanks would need to be assured before they trade Pavano early, if not upon The Rocket's arrival.

For now, Pavano is a Yankee, and if pitching well he might just earn his keep and stay with the team.