Carl Pavano shouldn't expect a standing ovation or a group hug from his teammates when he reports to Spring Training this year.
On Tuesday's MLB.com, Mike Mussina hinted at everything but a Code Red for the MIA righty, but still believed that a healthy Pavano would contribute to the staff. Pavano's attitude and commitment (not to mention his shoulder, back, butt, etc.) are still question marks with his teammates and coaches (and fans) as we head into the new season. Let's see if Carl is up to the challenge of actually pitching and winning back the respect of his teammates.
Mussina also weighed in on the Randy Johnson deal and about Johnson's stint in The Big Apple. Is this the same Mike Mussina who pouted and locked himself in his hotel room when the Yanks kicked off the 2004 season in Japan? The same Mike Mussina who notoriously gives YES reporter Kim Jones a hard time during interviews? Seems strange to me that Mussina is offering up all this information. I guess crossword puzzles can get a bit boring.
In any event, my advice for Pavano is to sort things out with your teammates early in Spring Training. It might save you some "unpleasantness."
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I think Pavano is in for a rough year. I know a lot of time has passed, but before his litany of phantom injuries he was horrible in the pinstripes.
I believe he was leading the league in hits allowed when he first went on the DL.
He hasn't done anything to show that he can get it done on a physical level in the A.L., not to mention his psyche.
I also read today that the Yanks aren't ruling out Philip Hughes making the rotation coming out of spring training. fingers crossed.