It's possible, but not probable.
The more likely scenario is that the injury-prone malingerer will just continue to laugh hysterically every 1st and 15th of the month when a portion of his 39.5 million dollar, 4- year salary gets deposited into his account.
We know all too well the vast litany of "injuries" that have plagued the "Glass Man" for the past two years. I am presently working on an interactive timeline of Pavano injuries, but my Web designer has yet to return from a weekend party in the Hamptons, so simple text will need to suffice for the moment.
Separate injuries to Pavano's shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and ribs-plus a surly attitude punctuated by a denial of culpability-caused Mike Mussina to say this about the Glass Man:
"The way each thing happened and the timing of each [injury] together, it didn't look good. From a player's and teammate's standpoint it didn't look good. Was it all coincidence, over and over again? I don't know."
But why take Mussina's word? Why not turn to Pavano himself? Just this past week, Pavano told reporters:
"In the past it has just been positive words. I don't know how committed I was."
Dear Reader: Please stop and read the above two sentences again. Not committed? Not committed? How does a man who signed a 39.5 million dollar contract say, in a cavalier manner, that he doesn't know how committed he was to getting back on the mound.
It's actually come to the point where this is not too surprising; it seems fairly typical of his work ethic.
Recently Bob Klapisch, The Record Columnist, reported that Pavano behaved so irresponsibly last year while rehabbing in Tampa that his favorite hang-out, The Blue Martini, was declared off-limits to him.
Hey, here's more from Pavano himself:
In Newsday's 3/5/06 edition Jon Heyman wrote:
"The $39.95-million enigma has reported an assortment of physical ailments since signing and doesn't always give the impression he's anxious to get back to work. The other day he was heard to mutter, 'I can't believe I get paid for this,' and not in an unhappy way."
Heyman was not the only one who reported that Pavano stated, "I can't believe I get paid for this."
Also, this from a Scout, "He would have been a 1st or 2nd round pick if his makeup was better."
Pavano was selected in the 13th round. At the time of that statement, the Scout was partially referring to Pavano's reputation as an extreme bully at Southington High School in Connecticut.
(An interesting sidenote: After signing his contract for $39.5 million, Pavano fired his agent and withheld his commission because the agent had strict orders to get the contract done for 40 million. Fired his agent? Good Lord, can you imagine that? Sure, the agent should be indicted for fraud, but Pavano should have given him a bonus.)
In light of these Pavano moments, it may seem surprising that Brian Cashman recently said that all of Pavano's injuries were legit. However, if Brian is hoping to trade Pavano this spring, he must put him in the bet possible light should there be a team out there that wants him (as doubtful as that seems).
So, will Pavano actually get on the mound and help the Yankees this year?
Sure, it's "possible" that he will have a good year. It's also "possible" that Hillary will divorce Bill and marry a circus pinhead.
But it's not probable.
The most probable thing, given Pavano's extensive track record, is that he will be injured again, in some way. How could a rational person think otherwise?
To ignore his history of injuries, which pre-dates his Yankee days (Just ask Montreal), is truly selective analysis. To hook everything on his one good year- a walk year at that-is flawed. The past few years certainly suggest that.
Sure, as a Yankee fan, I hope he goes out and wins 15. But it ain't probable.
Pavano is due to take the ball Sunday as he starts his first exhibition game. That makes me wonder what the Vegas odds are that Carl will come up with a "Case of the Mondays" on the morning after?
Pavano's manager, Joe Torre, said, "We want him to be honest with us (about how he feels) and understand that he can't be Superman."
I wouldn't worry about that one at all, Joe. I think Carl already proved that he can't be Superman.
At this point, I am hoping that he can be Seth McClung.
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