Twins Bring Carl Pavano Back Into Fold On Two-Year Contract

Pavano - who earned $7 million a year ago - will make $16.5 million over the next two seasons, with incentives that could add an additional $500,000. He stands to earn $100,000 in 2012 if he reaches 190 and 200 innings this year, and he stands to earn $150,000 if he reaches 210 and 220. They work cumulatively, in that, if Pavano throws 220+ innings, he will earn the total $500,000.

Pavano settled on the Twins after being pursued by a number of suitors along the way, including the Brewers, Nationals, Pirates, Yankees, and Rangers. For more on the signing, be sure to check out Twinkie Town.

Check out more over at Twinkie Town.

Sunday’s Zack Greinke trade changes a lot of things. It pushes the Royals a little further from contention. It pushes the Brewers a good deal closer. It reduces the Cardinals’ odds of making the playoffs. It reduces the Reds’ odds of making the playoffs. It gives Philadelphia and San Francisco some competition in the starting pitching department.

And it also changes things for free agent Carl Pavano. The Brewers were previously serious about Pavano as they sought out help for their starting rotation. But the Greinke trade closes that door, as they’re no longer a good fit.

Cliff Lee is the best available free agent starting pitcher, and he’s drawing an appropriate level of attention. We’re also hearing a lot of Zack Greinke trade rumors, as the Royals are listening to offers for their ace, and he’s the other number one pitcher on the market.

But the second-best remaining free agent starter is Carl Pavano, and while Lee and Greinke are dominating headlines, Pavano is quietly making progress in talks of his own. Jerry Crasnick reports that the Twins are stepping up their efforts to re-sign the veteran starter, while Ken Rosenthal states that the Brewers are also serious.

Interestingly, Bill Ladson notes that the Nationals aren’t wild about the idea of giving Pavano a multi-year contract, and that this could take them out of the running, but Pavano seems to have put his checkered past behind him, and the Nationals could always change their mind. They would be an excellent fit.

What happens with Pavano remains to be seen, but things could all happen in a hurry. A year ago, Pavano started 32 games, posting a 3.75 ERA with just 37 walks over 221 innings. He’d fit in the middle of any team’s starting rotation.