Indians sign RHP Pavano to one-year deal

Jan 7, 2009 - 12:33 AM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians are taking a chance on oft-injured righthander Carl Pavano.

The Indians agreed to a one-year contract with Pavano, who has flamed out since signing a lucrative contract with the New York Yankees nearly four years ago.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but si.com reported that $1.5 million is guaranteed. It could be worth as much as $6.8 million with incentives that kick in if Pavano makes 18 starts and pitches 130 innings.

Cleveland hopes Pavano, who will turn 33 on Thursday, will be able to overcome his injury problems and add depth to its rotation.

Pavano signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Yankees prior to the 2005 season, but appeared in just 26 games due to various injuries. The 10-year veteran has spent the better part of the last four seasons on the disabled list with shoulder, back and elbow ailments.

He appeared in seven games with New York last season, going 4-2 with a 5.77 ERA in 34 1/3 innings.

Pavano, who underwent "Tommy John" surgery in 2007, is 66-66 with a 4.23 ERA in 175 career starts for Montreal, Florida and New York.