Yanks Battle Sox for Great Divide
By lefty
Dueling GM's Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein are dragging their bitter rivalry into the cold dark days of fall - or in this case, the balmy bright sun of Key Biscayne Florida. Sam Borden, of the New York Daily news, reports in this story that the Yankees and Red Sox are battling over free-agent Marlins pitcher Carl Pavano. Pavano was a CY Young candidate for the 2004 season, compiling an 18-8 record.
Pavano's home state of Connecticut is the long-standing demilitarized zone of the Bronx and Beantown rivalry. Traditionally, the Northeast of the state wears "B" caps; the Southwest sports the interlocking NY. Precisely in half-way between Boston and New York is Pavano's boyhood hometown of Southington. And for the duration of this news cycle the Pavano house may be the epicenter of the rivalry. Pavano's mother is a die-hard Yankee fan, and Pavano himself is said to favor the Sox.
But the choice may center more on statistics than geography. Cashman and Epstein will both meet with Pavano's agent this week to try and gauge the pitcher's interest. Pavano is said to be considering which team he stands a better chance to win with, and is looking into the hitters and defense of the teams to whom he might hitch his rising star. He's also looking at how friendly a park he'd be pitching in for half his starts.
Pavano did a stint on the Pawtucket Red Sox - Boston's Rhode Island farm team — as a new player in the late 90s. The Sox have come a very long way since then, as has Carl. Come on home, Carl, and join the winners. Your Mom will love you no matter what.
