Free agent Pavano to visit Sox

Onetime farmhand returns as marquee pitcher

By Ian Browne / MLB.com

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Free agent Carl Pavano went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA for the Florida Marlins this season. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

BOSTON -- After growing up in Southington, Conn., native New Englander Carl Pavano was once able to pursue his dream. He was a highly regarded prospect in the Red Sox farm system for three years, only to be used as the main trading chip that brought Pedro Martinez to Boston on Nov. 18, 1997.

 

Seven years later, Pavano will now explore the possibility of actually achieving the dream of pitching with the Green Monster at his back.

 

The free agent right-hander -- who was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA for the Marlins in 2004 -- is expected to make a trip to Boston later this week along with his agent Scott Shapiro.

 

"Obviously the Red Sox are one of the main suitors that Carl is significantly evaluating and we've had some great talks with Theo [Epstein], he's a terrific guy," said Shapiro. "He's expressed his interest in Carl and he believes Carl would be a phenomenal fit for the Sox. And based on Carl's relationships in New England, having both parents still there and sisters, there is some obvious nexus between Carl and the Red Sox and we look forward to making a trip sometime soon to continue to explore the possibility of Carl being there."

 

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Aside from opening negotiations with Epstein, the general manager of the Red Sox, Pavano is hoping to get a pitch from one of the best hurlers in the game.

 

Curt Schilling, fresh off his hero's role in helping the Red Sox to their first World Series championship since 1918, is someone Pavano looks up to.

 

"We want to be able to talk to Schilling and he won't be there after this week," said Shapiro. "Carl definitely wants to hear from him and hear his point of view. There's a lot of respect there."

 

While exploring the possibility of bringing Pavano back to the organization where he started, the Sox are also trying to keep the man Pavano was once traded for. The Sox have already made at least one offer to Martinez -- reported to be two years at $25.5 million plus a third year option of $13 million.

 

If the Sox were able to re-sign Martinez and bring Pavano on board, they would team up with Schilling to form a potentially dominant front three.

 

Derek Lowe, who was heroic for the Sox during their run to the World Series championship, is also a free agent.

 

Bronson Arroyo and Tim Wakefield are both expected to be back in the rotation in 2005.

 

The Red Sox are just one of several teams expected to make an offer for Pavano's services. The Orioles, Yankees, Phillies, Tigers, Mariners and Angels are other teams Pavano might visit on his recruiting tour.

 

"It's exciting," Pavano said. "I get to see other teams, other front offices and other players. I'm looking forward to it. I see this as other teams looking to solidify pitchers to help their team win. That's exciting for me to know I can be a go-to guy for them."

 

Shapiro indicated that the pitcher was not in a rush to figure out who his new employer will be. Instead, Pavano wants to make the right choice.

 

"With Carl, it's a significant life decision. No need to rush it," said Shapiro. "With regards to a team, it's obviously a big decision. You're talking about committing resources, and millions of dollars. More likely than not, hopefully we'll have a deal done by the second week of December, around the time of the Winter Meetings. But Carl is taking as much time as he needs to be able to evaluate all of his options and make the best choice."

 

Pavano (57-38, 4.21 ERA lifetime) has always had talent, but he didn't truly blossom until this past season.

 

At 29 years old, he is seemingly entering his prime. Only time will tell if that prime will be served for the same franchise he once worked for during his youth.

 

"It's an organization that is committed to winning," said Shapiro. "Year in and year out, the Red Sox have always been a contender. And for a guy that wants to win, you really have to consider the Red Sox as one of the teams that gives you the best chance to win as your career develops."

 

Pavano has already tasted World Series glory, winning it all with the Marlins in 2003. In that upset over the Yankees, Pavano allowed just one run over nine innings in his two outings.

 

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

He should just ignore the BoSox and start talks with B+F in Baltimore. :whistle