Carl Pavano To Retire
http://ppt.cc/enzn
Longtime MLB starter Carl Pavano will end his comeback bid and retire, agent
Dave Pepe tells MLBTR. The 38-year-old threw 1,788 2/3 innings over parts of
14 seasons, posting a career 4.39 ERA.
"Despite my strong desire to compete and hard work in preparing for the
upcoming season," said Pavano. "I feel that the amount of time lost from my
spleen injury, coupled with the recovery from my complications from that
injury, preclude me from continuing to compete at my highest level, which is
necessary to perform in the major leagues." He went on to add that "three
months of rigorous training have failed to produce the results that I was
looking for to allow me to continue my major league career."
Pavano had an injury-shortened 2012 campaign, then suffered a ruptured spleen
through a freak accident. After sitting out the 2013 season, Pavano had been
working his way back with the hopes of returning to the bigs for 2014.
Though he had many strong seasons, Pavano's best came in 2004, when he threw
222 1/3 innings for the Marlins, posting an even 3.00 ERA. He made his only
All-Star game that year, and finished sixth in Cy Young voting.
Never a big strikeout pitcher, Pavano steadily honed his control over his
career, going from issuing about 3 free passes per nine in his early days to
a miniscule 1.1 BB/9 in his final campaign. After an injury-plagued and
ill-fated stint with the Yankees, Pavano returned to delivering 200-inning
seasons well into his mid-30's for the Twins. Between 2009-11, his age 33-35
seasons, Pavano put up 199 1/3, 221, and 222 innings, respectively. Though
his ERA varied over that stretch (5.10, 3.75, and 4.30), advanced metrics
never wavered in valuing his output, with his FIP holding between 4.00 and
4.10, his xFIP staying between 3.86 and 4.14, and his SIERA mark never
falling outside of the 3.95 and 4.30 range.
In addition to his time in Florida, New York, and Minnesota, Pavano started
his career with the Expos and also saw action with the Indians. Fangraphs
values his career contribution at 23.7 wins above replacement, while
Baseball-Reference pegs it at 17 WAR. Pavano earned over $63.5MM over his 14
years.