MLB

Yankees considered bringing Pavano back

Reader discretion is advised — Yankees fans might spontaneously combust after reading the next sentence.

General manager Brian Cashman said yesterday that he considered bringing Carl Pavano back for a second stint with the Yankees.

A source said the team had “serious” discussions for several weeks after Christmas about re-signing the “American Idle” who could not stay healthy and alienated teammates after signing a four-year, $39.95 million contract with the team before the 2005 season.

“I had several conversations,” Cashman said. “Again, I’ve looked at everything that’s out there. I’ve always felt Pav could pitch here. I think he’s shown he can pitch in difficult circumstances. Bottom line, when he’s healthy, he can pitch. Did I have conversations with [agent] Tom O’Connell about Pav? I did. I don’t think he was afraid of coming back here either.”

A source familiar with the talks said Pavano was willing to return to New York, despite the PR firestorm it would have brought with it. Pavano re-signed with the Twins yesterday, where he has pitched the last two years. It’s a two-year, $16.5 million deal.

That the Yankees would consider a sequel with Pavano shows how desperate their starting pitching situation is.

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The Yankees are not considering moving Joba Chamberlain
back to the starting rotation, though their bullpen now looks like a strength and the rotation is a weakness.

“He’s in the bullpen,” Cashman said repeatedly. “I think we’ve seen over time that his stuff plays up so much better as a reliever than a starter now.”

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Both Scott Boras
and Cashman said they continue to talk about free agent outfielder Andruw Jones
. With Boras at Yankee Stadium yesterday for Rafael Soriano
‘s press conference, the two said they planned on talking later in the day.