Pirates Pursuing Pavano?

In the midst of the controversial release, of financial papers, in September, Frank Coonelly, Pittsburgh Pirate team President, announced that they were going to be adding $10M-15M to the payroll for the 2011 season. With the Pirates non-tendering Delwyn Young, Lastings Milledge, Argenis Diaz and Brian Burres, certainly didn't free up much for the payroll. The free agent signings of Kevin Correia, Scott Olsen, Matt Diaz and Kyle Overbay, will add roughly $12M, with a possibility of increasing with performance, to the payroll and with Ronny Cedeno and Jeff Karstens agreeing to terms, the $15M increase is nearly all used up.


The Pirates goal, this off season, was to increase their defense at first base and short stop, the production out of right field, and better overall pitching. With the signing of Overbay and Diaz, it leaves short stop and pitching, though Olsen and Correia have been signed, pitching staff still could used a shot in the arm. Earlier today, John Perrotto, Editor-in-Chief of BaseballProspectus.com and columnist for the Beaver County Times, tweeted:

 @jperrotto: Keep hearing rumblings that the #Pirates might jump in on Carl Pavano.

Carl Pavano spent the last season and a half, with the Minnesota Twins, and racked up a record of 22-15 with a 3.97 ERA. Entering the 2011 season, he will be 35 years old and would be his 13th season. After a 2007 elbow strain, he opted to undergo Tommy John surgery, and made a fast recovery, while returning, for rehabilitation starts, in July of 200. Posting a record of 35-25, after coming off of the surgery, he was a key figure in the '09 & '10 playoff picture for the Twins. Now, a month into free agency, with Cliff Lee signed with Philadelphia, and Zack Greinke traded to Milwaukee, he finds himself the best arm available. Making $7M last year, and seeminly, back to his old form, he would seem to be due for around $8M-$9M next year and is probably looking for at least a 2 year deal.

If the "rumblings," John Perrotto heard, hold any value, signing Pavano, would certainly put the Pirates over the $15M payroll increase for the 2011 season. This would be an excellent pickup, but if it were to happen, and only if, his numbers would most likely not be duplicated, as the Pirates offensive struggles may still linger well into the 2011 season. An arm like his would, undoubtedly, make him the opening day starter and give the rotation that 'shot in the arm.'

These "rumblings" of Perrotto's are similar to the "whispers" of Jesse Behr, also of BaseballProspectus.com, who earlier this week tweeted rumors of a Doumit trade with Boston, are just rumors. Rumors are what drives the baseball off season, as stats drive the regular season. Until there is a significant amount of social media traffic, and Internet postings, about any rumors, the validity is very low, so don't read into too much. 

So why did I write this post? Because I miss baseball, so back off!