Marlins Shift Focus to Starting Pitching

[Metes]

More like awesome surgery

On second thought, Bannister is basically Volstad to a T. Nevermind.

[Party]

Moyer is having elbow surgery (or shoulder)

Hip replacement surgery.

[Ramp]

that too, but he hurt himself pitching in like Venezuela or something

[Fritz]

What was he doing pitching inside one of those awful horns from the World Cup?

[Metes]

[MiamiHomer]

The Marlins intend to spend the money they saved in the Dan Uggla trade on an established starting pitcher and Javier Vazquez and Carl Pavano are among the team’s top targets, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark.

Vazquez is now the Marlins’ primary target, but he has a number of other suitors. At least six teams, including the Nationals, Rockies, Cardinals and Cubs, have expressed interest in the right-hander this winter, but he isn’t close to a deal with any of them. Vazquez, who has thrown the second most innings and recorded the second most strikeouts in baseball since the start of the 2000 season, would be closer to his Puerto Rico home if he signed with the Marlins.

Pavano is looking for a contract comparable to the three-year $33MM deal Ted Lilly signed with the Dodgers. If Pavano's willing to accept a shorter term deal, the Marlins could work aggressively to bring him back to Miami. Six to eight teams have expressed some interest in Pavano so far this winter.

MLBTR

[Todd]

I bet Moyer's fishing buddys Methuselah and Father Time are probably missing the quality time.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Even though they just traded away one of their biggest bats, the Florida Marlins intend to spend their Dan Uggla dollars on a starting pitcher, not another hitter.

According to multiple sources who have spoken with the Marlins brass, the team plans to take what's left of the $10 million to $11 million it had budgeted for Uggla's salary and use it to lure an established veteran starter.

The two pitchers who appear to have floated to the top of the Marlins' wish list are Javier Vazquez and former Marlin Carl Pavano. But with Pavano still looking for a contract similar to the three-year, $33 million deal that Ted Lilly just signed with the Dodgers, Vazquez now looms as their main target.

The Marlins told people after the Uggla trade that they hoped to add a pitcher by the end of the week. However, they're one of six teams currently expressing interest in Vazquez, who is viewed by those clubs as a potential bargain after a messy season with the Yankees (10-10, 5.32 ERA). And Vazquez isn't close to a deal with any of those teams, sources told ESPN.com.

The Nationals, Rockies, Cardinals and Cubs are among other teams that have expressed some level of interest this winter in the 34-year-old right-hander, whose big selling point is that he is one of only three active starting pitchers who have spent at least 13 seasons in the big leagues and never gone on the disabled list. (The others: Derek Lowe and Livan Hernandez.)

If Pavano is willing to accept a shorter-term deal, the Marlins remain interested in him, as well. They almost signed Pavano last winter and had even tentatively agreed on a dollar figure, until the Twins charged in at the last minute and outbid them.

Marlins looking to add starting pitcher

[wanks1212]

Even if the Upton deal doesn't go down and they just end up adding Vazquez and a bench player or two, I kinda dig this team for next year, outside of the CC in CF part.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Ken_Rosenthal: #Twins making strong push to keep Pavano. Could happen, but pitcher committed to going through free-agent process.

/Twitter

[Big Z]

The Twins seem "very interested" in keeping Carl Pavano, who appears to be looking to match the three-year $33MM deal Ted Lilly signed. The Marlins are also interested in Pavano, but they appear hesitant to offer three years. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms the Twins' interest in re-signing Pavano.

-MLBTR

I would be hesitant too, is it me or does he only pitch real well in his contract years?

[wanks1212]

I'd go 2 years on Pavano, but not 3.

[Big Z]

You could do 2 years with a deal worth up to 22 million with incentives and all, and offer a third yr option

[wanks1212]

I just re-read Stark's piece. The Marlins bid for Pavano last offseason and even reached an agreement? Really? That's surprising.

[Bobbob1313]

Any reports on what Vazquez is asking?