Yankees worst free agent contracts ever handed out

Carl Pavano

One other pitcher who was on that 2007 Yankees roster was Carl Pavano. When the Yanks signed Pavano to a 4-year, $39.95 million contract after the 2004 season, they were expecting an ace who was entering his prime and ready to dominate.

After all, he had a stellar year with the Marlins, where he posted an 18-8 record with a 3.00 ERA.

He even pitched well in the Marlins’ 2003 World Series-winning season, only allowing one run in eight innings vs. the Yankees in Game 4.

Well, he was anything but stellar during his tenure in the Bronx. In four years, he compiled a 14-12 record with an ERA of 5.10 to go along with countless injuries.

The timing of these injuries was almost comical. Pavano started 2006 on the DL with a bruised glute. Seriously. Then he broke a couple of ribs in a car accident but refused to tell the team until the day the Yankees were going to take him off the DL.

Because of this, Mike Mussina flat out said that Pavano had much to prove to pitch for New York. When all was said and done (or not done), Pavano unceremoniously earned the nickname “American Idle” in his final year with the Yankees for his distinct lack of action.

Pavano added salt to the wound by having some decent seasons with the Minnesota Twins after he left the Bronx — like posting a 17-11 record with an ERA of 3.75 in 2010.