The Yankees' inability to add depth to the back end of their rotation this past offseason has been well documented, resulting in desperation signings of the likes of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia.
Apparently, they even considered bringing back one of their former big-money busts, Carl Pavano, but their contract offer couldn't lure him away from Minnesota, according to the New York Post.
"It could have been a good opportunity to turn the story into a good story, instead of obviously a big disappointment for everyone involved the first time through," Pavano said Monday night.
"We definitely had some dialogue, and there was some interest on both sides, but things just didn't work out."
Pavano pitched very well in 2010, going 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA, but the Yankees were unwilling to offer him more than a one-year deal, giving him little reason not to take the Twins' multiyear offer.
"I think it was an interesting opportunity … maybe do well in a spot where I didn't do very well the first time," Pavano said. "But, like I said, things just didn't pan out."
Having enjoyed his greatest success in Minnesota since his days in Florida, Pavano is happy to have found a home at Target Field.
"The experience I've had the last two years, with us getting the opportunity to open a new stadium, close down a pretty historic stadium in the Metrodome, being in the playoffs. … It's been great. I feel like I fit in really well here, and it's been nice," he said.
The Yankees unsuccessfully brought back former bust Javier Vazquez in 2010. Garcia and Ivan Nova are projected to fill the back end of the Yankees 2011 rotation.
