1 New York Yankees
As he jetted from city to city this winter, visiting with suitors from a half dozen major league teams on a junket his agent dubbed Carlapalooza, free-agent righthander Carl Pavano reliably encountered one inducement in every hotel suite. "Chocolates," he says. "That wasn't exactly a part of my diet regimen."
Courted from Baltimore, where the Orioles put his picture on the Camden Yards scoreboard, billing him as the club's Opening Day starter; to Boston, where he lunched with righthander Curt Schilling; to Detroit, where he golfed with Hall of Famer Al Kaline, Pavano was one of the off-season's most coveted free agents. As has become routine in recent seasons, however, such a valuable commodity almost always seems to find its way to New York. Pavano, the 29-year-old native of Southington, Conn., which is situated where the Yankees' and the Red Sox' Northeast spheres of influence converge, signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Yanks.
Pavano joins lefthander Randy Johnson (acquired in a trade with the Diamondbacks) and righthander Jaret Wright (signed as a free agent for three years, $21 million) in the team's second rotation overhaul in as many seasons, this one designed to invigorate a graying starting staff that had a 4.82 ERA last season, sixth in the AL. "The traditions, the history of this team are second to none," Pavano says. "The winning was going to be here, there weren't going to be any question marks."
Despite the ardor with which he was wooed, many question whether Pavano will succeed in the Bronx. He has a 57-58 lifetime record and only twice has cracked 140 innings; both times, in 2003 and '04, he did so in an extreme pitcher's park, Miami's Pro Player Stadium, with an excellent defense behind him. Over his career Pavano has allowed more than a hit per inning and has struck out fewer than six batters per nine. He relies on locating four pitches--fastball, curve, changeup and slider--and his stuff isn't overpowering.
Pavano is aware of the legacy of disappointment by New York's recent big-ticket pitching acquisitions--from Jeff Weaver to Jose Contreras to Javier Vazquez--but professes to be unconcerned. "It's an adjustment, being here; I'd be lying if I said I stepped in and felt totally comfortable," he says. "But it's an experience where you have to go out and learn on your own."
Like Pavano, Wright is far from a sure bet. Last season with the Braves he was 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA in 1861/3 innings--career bests since undergoing his first shoulder surgery, in 2000. But opinion is divided as to whether those numbers were abetted by the wisdom of Atlanta pitching coach Leo Mazzone or were indicators of a career turnaround. What neither pitcher will have to confront is the burden of carrying a staff, because that falls squarely on Johnson, who welcomes the responsibility.
Each year the Yankees grow creakier and attempt to fight senescence with cash. Their offense, though second in the AL behind the Red Sox' in runs per game (5.5), on-base percentage (.353) and slugging (.458), has regressed with age. Though New York has elite hitters at the top of the order, it will, despite its $200 million payroll, fill four lineup spots from a group that includes designated hitter--first baseman Jason Giambi, first baseman Tino Martinez, DH Ruben Sierra, centerfielder Bernie Williams and second baseman Tony Womack, only one of whom--the 37-year-old Martinez--had an OPS (on-base-plus-slugging percentage) greater than .800 last season.
Williams, 36, has deteriorated offensively and defensively to the point that he needs frequent relief. "He's at the age where I'd like to be able to consistently spell him," Yankees manager Joe Torre says. But unless leftfielder Hideki Matsui can shift to center, the Yankees have no better backup option than Bubba Crosby, Colin Porter and Damian Rolls, who entered the final week of spring training competing for one roster spot.
New York's seemingly infinite resources and the strength of its bullpen--bolstered by the return of 37-year-old lefthander Mike Stanton, whom Torre trusts implicitly--conceal many of its flaws. But Pavano and Wright must show they can succeed in the Bronx, too. --Daniel G. Habib
In Fact
Last year the Yankees tied the White Sox with a big league--leading 242 homers--the first time New York held or shared the top spot since hitting 240 in 1961.
Enemy Lines
an opposing team's scout sizes up the Yankees
"DON'T WORRY about Alex Rodriguez's numbers last year. He's still going to smack 35, 40 home runs. And he will hit for a better average this year.... Jason Giambi has a long way to go. His timing is way off. I see them starting the season with Tino Martinez at first.... Call it a gut feeling, but I think Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada will have better offensive seasons than they did last year.... Tony Womack is an improvement at second over Miguel Cairo.... Randy Johnson will handle the New York media fine. His arm will speak for him, and he will win 20 games and maybe the Cy Young. Pitching in the American League will be much different for Carl Pavano, but he's got the stuff to be a winner.... Jaret Wright could be a surprise: He has a nasty breaking ball, and his fastball will ride and run.... The bullpen, with Mariano Rivera, is still good. Mike Stanton did not impress me last year, but they must know something.... There was always a question whether Steve Karsay could tough it up when the going got rough. I think he's over that now."
The Lineup
projected roster with 2004 statistics
2004 RECORD 101-61 1st in AL East
Batting Order
SS Jeter
3B A. Rodriguez
RF Sheffield
LF Matsui
C Posada
DH Giambi
CF Williams
1B Martinez
2B Womack
BERNIE WILLIAMS
B-T S-R
PVR 152
BA .262
HR 22
RBI 70
SB 1
HIDEKI MATSUI
B-T L-R
PVR 27
BA .298
HR 31
RBI 108
SB 3
DEREK JETER
B-T R
PVR 29
BA .292
HR 23
RBI 78
SB 23
ALEX RODRIGUEZ
B-T R
PVR 3
BA .286
HR 36
RBI 106
SB 28
JORGE POSADA
B-T S-R
PVR 69
BA .272
HR 21
RBI 81
SB 1
TINO MARTINEZ [New acquisition]
B-T L-R
PVR 180
BA .262
HR 23
RBI 76
SB 3
TONY WOMACK [New acquisition]
B-T L-R
PVR 165
BA .307
HR 5
RBI 38
SB 26
GARY SHEFFIELD
B-T R
PVR 16
BA .290
HR 36
RBI 121
SB 5
MANAGER Joe Torre
10th season with New York
DESIGNATED HITTER
JASON GIAMBI
B-T L-R
PVR 60
BA .208
HR 12
RBI 40
SB 0
BENCH
RUBEN SIERRA
B-T S-R
PVR 278
BA .244
HR 17
RBI 65
SB 1
JOHN FLAHERTY
B-T R
PVR 378
BA .252
HR 6
RBI 16
SB 0
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243
5
8
1
1.37
3.29
New acquisition
(R) Rookie
B-T: Bats-throws
IPS: Innings pitched per start
WHIP: Walks plus hits per inning pitched
PVR: Player Value Ranking (explanation on page 69)
COLOR PHOTO
CHUCK SOLOMON
PRESSURE POINT
Coming off a career year with the Marlins, Pavano must do it again in the crucible of Yankee Stadium.
COLOR PHOTO
DAMIAN STROHMEYER
Giambi
COLOR PHOTO
COLOR ILLUSTRATION