With Pavano starting tomorrow I looked up his stats. What were the Yankees thinking when they signed him?

Question

What did they see in a 27 year old pitcher that had seven inconsistent, mostly mediocre years that would warrant a $40M+ contract? I don't think that it was a good choice, but hindsight is easy.

Answer 1

I agree that it was a bad decision, I thought at the time that people were rushing to claim that he had finally arrived but what they saw was a pitcher that had a fabulous second half of the season and a dominate post season (seeing him pitch he looked more dominate than his numbers represented even) and rather than thinking that this was an oddity in his MLB career every team out there was clamoring for him saying that he had finally fulfilled the promise that he showed as a farm hand for the Red Sox who was rushed up after being the center peice of the Pedro deal.  

For me it was not even hindsight it was fore sight that this deal was going to end badly, this made the Kevin Brown deal look good!  He was a #3 starter for the Marlins most of that season and did not have to square up against #1's on other teams, coming to the Yankees as the savior he was expected to be the man...it was doomed for failure to begin with!

EDIT:  His 18-8 year was with Florida in 2003 when they won the WS and yes it was an anomily, his previous best record was 8-4 in 2000 with Montreal.  He was supposed to have such great promise in the minors that the Red Sox did not really want to part with him on Brian Rose because they were stars of the future for Pedro Martinez, in the end they gave up Pavano but does it sound familiar?

Answer 2

There's one word for this guy...CONTRACT GUY. This guy has been sitting on his *** for 4 years while getting paid 40 million dollars. I guess Pavano's "career" year hind sighted that contract. The Yankees love to sign old guys who have one or two good seasons and this is a prime example. Yankee fans should be happy that this is his final season with them.

Hey, at least Hampton was a proven pitcher who at least got a win this season. Unlike Hampton, Pavano tried to miss every season with different excuses such as... a painful buttocks, goes driving recklessly to injury himself in a car crash, opt for Tommy John when he did something to his pitching arm, and probably plenty more injuries that Pavano can make up.

The funny thing is that his agent believes that he's marketable in the FA market...all I see is probably a minor league invitation and that's it.

Answer 3

They were hoping Alyssa Milano would show up at the Yankees games. Actually, he was coming off a good year and the Yankees took a chance. Their fans are lucky. My beloved Phillies traded Gavin Floyd for an  injured pitcher by the name of Freddy Garcia and paid him 10 million dollars for ONE win. Did I mention Adam Eaton? Tom Gordon?  I'm sorry;I had to vent.

Answer 4

Steinbrenner and Cashman have tried to get the best players they could pay for or trade for-Pavano was a major bust. He's our Dontrelle Willis(us poor Tiger fans got robbed also.) These owners and GMs are fools to throw  that much money at a player before he has proven himself. Their loss and the poor fans suffer for their stupidity!

Answer 5

he was coming off an 18-5 year with a 3.10 era....  

Answer 6

I'm still trying to figure out what they where thinking.

Answer 7

AS a yankee fan, I think that was the worst move they have ever made in there histoy. Banking so much on a guy like Pavano was obsured.

Answer 8

Thats how desperate, unfortunately, The Yankees are to get additional "quality" pitching.   Pavano had one good season I think, but for most part has more losses than wins, and a high ERA. While Yanks are aware they need more SP, its their offense that appears asleep at times and has cost them to remain several games back, 6 in fact, of Boston and Minny.  Though Yanks never say die, with 35 games left, need to make a move now, otherwise their consecutive playoff season appearances end, and easily. No doubt their series against Boston and Tampa, they will have to sweep, especially Boston, to gain ground and have any chance. I dont see Boston going on a major losing streak otherwise.

Answer 9

He had one good season in Montreal and another in Florida.  They thought the Red Sox were going to make a run for him and threw a ton of money his way.  Can't believe they would have expected him to be the biggest flop this side of baseball.  The equivalent of football's Ryan Leaf/