NewsPavano latest Twins free-agent filing
Four of five eligible players have registered paperwork
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
11/07/09 11:44 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS -- Pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency on Saturday, becoming the fourth of five eligible Twins to do so. Pavano went 14-12 with a 5.10 ERA in 2009 while pitching 199 1/3 innings in 33 combined starts with Cleveland and Minnesota. After coming to the Twins in a waiver trade in early August, Pavano helped during the team's stretch run to yet another division title. He pitched Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees, allowing two runs over seven innings in a loss. The strong season was a sort of career rebirth for the 33-year-old pitcher following four injury-plagued years with the Yankees. Pavano was a relative bargain last offseason in free agency as he signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Indians, but it's unlikely to be that way again this winter. The Twins could have interest in bringing Pavano back to the rotation, but it will likely depend on how much money he commands on the free-agent market. Pavano is the fourth Minnesota player to file for free agency since six-year Major League free agents were eligible to begin filing on Thursday. Third baseman Joe Crede, catcher Mike Redmond and reliever Ron Mahay all filed on the first day, leaving shortstop Orlando Cabrera as the Twins' only impending free agent that has yet to file.The free-agent filing period runs through Nov. 19.
Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
