10. Carl Pavano – American Idle
How often do we see an injury plagued, yet talented player put together a career year in their final season before free agency, only to regress once they sign that high priced contract? Given Carl Pavano’s injury history, it was almost a given that the New York Yankees would regret their four year, $36 Million deal that he signed following the 2004 season.
Coming off an All-Star season where he went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.174 WHiP, Pavano was one of the prized free agents at the time. However, he was quite injury prone, having made thirty starts in a year only in that season during his career. Those injury issues cropped right back up, as Pavano made only 17 appearances for the Yankees in 2005.
That would be the high water mark. In the final three years of his contract, Pavano made a total of nine appearances, earning a reputation as a hypochondriac. He would miss time with injuries such as a sprained butt (seriously), earning him the nickname American Idle.
Pavano became a useful pitcher again once his contract ended, even leading the American League in complete games and shutouts with the Minnesota Twins in the 2010 season. Yet, his inability to take his turn would remain, as Pavano picked up quite the entertaining, and accurate, nickname.
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