Tigers make pitch to Pavano
MLB.com article by Jason Beck
Detroit — The Tigers, once regarded in the backdrop of the free-agent market, might be first in line in more than just the order of visits for Carl Pavano.
Detroit is believed to have offered a four-year contract to the free-agent starter, who will arrive in the city Thursday night as part of his tour of American League cities over the next week.
Pavano’s agent, Scott Shapiro, neither confirmed nor denied that an offer was made. However, he made both the Tigers’ aggressiveness and Pavano’s patience pretty clear while indicating they’re nowhere close to a deal.
“Detroit has stated [its] definite, significant interest in Carl,” Shapiro said. “I’ve made my point that we’re going to let the market mature. It’s basic market economics. Carl is one of the best pitchers on the market.”
While the market matures, Pavano will get to know the American League. After touring Comerica Park and meeting with Tigers officials on Friday, Pavano and Shapiro will head to New York and meet with the Yankees. From there, they’ll go to Baltimore, then Seattle, and finally to Anaheim just ahead of baseball’s Winter Meetings next weekend.
It’s at that point, Shapiro said, that they’ll start weighing offers.
“Nothing’s going to happen until we gather enough information and let Carl process that information to make a decision,” Shapiro said.
Pavano has already visited the defending world champion Boston Red Sox, the organization that drafted him in 1994. Add in five National League teams, and interest in Pavano comes from a dozen teams.
Pavano will turn 29 next month. He owns a 57-58 career record between Montreal and Florida. Pavano emerged as an All-Star in 2004 by going 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA for the Marlins, who could still have a chance at re-signing him.
My view: Every team he has visited his agent has said the same thing. Carl wants to learn about the team’s facilities, training staff, etc., etc,. Don’t look for him to sign at least for a couple of more weeks. Other reports I have read say that the Tigers and Orioles are in the running just as much as the Yankees and Red Sox.
