Free agency
Marlins’ Pavano tells team he wants to test the market NEW YORK (AP) – Carl Pavano became a free agent Wednesday after meeting with Florida Marlins’ management and telling the team he wanted to test the market.
A 28-year-old right-hander who went a career-best 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA this season, Pavano is likely to be among the most coveted free agents, which could put him in the middle of a bidding war between the World Series champion Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, baseball’s biggest spenders.
Pavano met for about an hour in Miami with Marlins president David Samson and general manager Larry Beinfest.
“They expressed their desire to have Carl back, and Carl expressed his appreciation for everything the ownership group has done, in Montreal and in Florida,” said the pitcher’s agent, Scott Shapiro. “We’re going to keep open communication. Carl has a lot of emotional ties to the Marlins, but he is committed to testing the market. Whether they have the resources to compete with some other organizations for Carl’s services is the question at hand.”
Other free-agent pitchers include Pedro Martinez, Brad Radke, Russ Ortiz, Eric Milton, Matt Morris, Derek Lowe and Kevin Millwood. Players can start negotiating money terms with all teams starting Nov. 12.
Pavano has a 57-58 record in seven seasons with the Expos and Marlins. He was drafted by Boston in 1994, then was sent to Montreal after the 1997 season with Tony Armas Jr. for Martinez.
He had surgery to remove elbow chips in 2000 but has been healthy since. Pavano allowed one run in nine innings against the Yankees in the 2003 World Series and went 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA in two postseason starts and six relief appearances.
Pavano, a first-time All-Star in 2004, earned $3,925,000 this year.
“We’re not going to comment on any discussions,” Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest said. “We’re going to keep everything in house.”
The Yankees are looking to rebuild a starting rotation that struggled most of the season and collapsed against Boston in Game 7 of the AL championship series, while the Red Sox are facing the possible loss of Martinez and Lowe.
Shapiro lives within walking distance of the hotel in Key Biscayne, Fla., where general managers will meet next week and probably will talk with some teams then. He said negotiations probably will take quite a while.
“I know that Carl’s main concern is that he wants to go to an organization that’s committed to winning,” Shapiro said. “He is going to want to meet the personnel. He’s going to evaluate the defense and the run support he would have on a particular team.”
Pavano was among 11 players who became free agents Wednesday, raising the total to 190. Chicago White Sox second baseman Roberto Alomar and St. Louis outfielder John Mabry also filed.
San Francisco exercised options on three players who could have become free agents: center fielder Marquis Grissom ($2.75 million), pitcher Brett Tomko ($2.5 million) and first baseman J.T. Snow ($2 million). The Giants declined a $3.25 million option on pitcher Jason Christiansen, electing to pay a $300,000 buyout, and agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with shortstop Deivi Cruz, who can earn an additional $300,000 in performance bonuses.
Cincinnati left-hander Gabe White filed after the Reds declined a $1,925,000 mutual option. He gets a $200,000 buyout.
Up to 21 additional players are eligible to become free agents by the Nov. 11 deadline.