The 2004/2005 off season was a rough one for the Yankees looking back on it, they had just blew a 3-0 series lead over the Boston Red Sox and needed major re-tooling. The bombers went out and spent money as always too bad the money spent was used as well as CC Sabathia wearing a medium sized jersey. Randy Johnson was brought upon to be the ace of the staff, but got off to a rough start with the New York media by shoving a camera man on his way to taking his team physical. Johnson would win 38 games in his two seasons in the Bronx but was considered a bust, for his poor postseason pitching and bad attitude. Jaret Wright was also signed, and got hurt in the his first month in pinstripes. Wright would eventually be traded to the Orioles for Chris Britton after the 2006 season. Even though both those signings were flawed and a waste of money the biggest bust had to be "American Idle" Carl Pavano.
Pavano had signed a four year $39.95 million contract with the Yanks after having a career season with the Marlins. Pavano struggled at the start of the season and then would get hurt. Pavano would go down with a shoulder injury and never return that season. This would be the down fall of Pavano since at the time many of his team mates felt that he could have pitched, but didn't want too. Had Pavano had success during the season and stayed healthy Shawn Chacon and/or Aaron Small would have never gotten a shot in the rotation. Both players were large parts on the 2005 Yankees making the playoffs. Pavano would miss the entire 2006 season with embarrassing injuries such as a bruised buttock, and injuring his ribs in a car accident. Carl would make manage to find his way into a total of nine games in 2007 AND 2008. Had Pavano had some success in the Bronx, Brian Cashman would have continued to throw money at players such as Pavano. Over paying for them but losing out on draft picks.
The 2009 Yankees would have never been possible with out such failed signings. So what I'm trying to say is that had Pavano played up to expectations, would Cashman had bothered to go after CC Sabathia ? Would Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain gotten the chance to be in the rotation or would a player of Jaret Wrights stature still be their? Would the Yanks be dreaming of a new dynasty at this moment? The answer to that last one in my opinion is no. The Yanks would have continued to make poor signings and never rebuild the farm system. So thank you Carl Pavano for the lack of memories, other then being the biggest bust of the past decade. Also best of luck on winning 20 games, since while you may be winning games, you are the reason the Yankees are now winning rings.
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