Carl Pavano

On Jan. 12, pitcher Carl Pavano—currently a free agent—slipped while shoveling snow and suffered a ruptured spleen. According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the seemingly minor tumble almost proved fatal.

Fresh off a trade that sent reigning NL Cy Young Award-winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Mets are pursuing replacement options that can help them get back on track in the NL East.

Don’t hand the Twins the AL Central title just yet. The kinks made themselves visible Friday on Opening Day for the Twins.

The Twins ace, the man who is supposed to be the rock in the Twins rotation, got mauled in the first inning for four runs. Carl Pavano only lasted four innings and ended up allowing eight runs, seven of which were earned. But the beatdown didn’t end there.

The Twins basically got out-hit, out-pitched, out-everythinged.

Via Joel Sherman of the NY Post:

This winter has exposed cracks in the New York Yankees’ organization.  What was once the proudest and most cohesive unit in baseball has reverted to the days of factions between the New York front office, headed by GM Brian Cashman, and the Tampa brain trust, led by the Brothers Steinbrenner.

It's official: Carl Pavano will remain with the Minnesota Twins for now after tonight signing a two-year contract worth $16.5 million.

After keeping Twins nation in constant anxiety for the last two weeks, Carl Pavano and his moustache have finally climbed on board for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press has reported that Minnesota and Pavano agreed to a two-year, $16.5 million.

Carl Pavano and the Minnesota Twins finally came to an agreement today for a two year contract worth $16.5 million.  After rumors about the possibility of Pavano returning to the New York Yankees or that the Washington Nationals were a favorite, he will be returning to the Twins for the next two seasons, where he could perhaps retire.

We are officially well into the winter doldrums. The luster of the World Series has long since faded, and the free agent market's most prized possessions have all signed with new teams. But while the media will marvel in the news surrounding the likes of Washington's big spending, reeling in Jayson Werth, or the Phillies under-market signing of Cliff Lee. However, many free agents are still looking for new homes.

Who's to blame?

It appears that all the speculation that swirled around free agent Carl Pavano leaving the Minnesota Twins for another team will be coming to an end very soon.

FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Twins are nearing a deal that will keep Pavano in a Twins uniform through the 2012 season.