It's been a while since I have mentioned Carl Painvano, but that certainly does not mean that I have forgotten about him. Quite the opposite, in fact... each time the Santanamania or "what are we gonna do with with Joba, I-Ken, and Hughsie? Trade? Put 'em all in the rotation? Use Joba's magic in the bullpen like last year??" questions pop up I'm forced to remember the fact that the Yankees still have that walking disaster on their hands (and roster). The Yankees have not forgotten him either (though all last season it really seemed like they were doing their very best to deny his existence and place on the team), and as Spring looms closer and they desperately need room on the active roster to add the players that will actually be playing and, you know, contributing to the team. The trouble for the Yanks at the moment with this situation - I mean, aside from just having to be associated with that beast - is that during the off-season they cannot hide him on the DL. The DL essentially/effectively does not exist during the off-season. All players on the 60-day DL, where Pavano has been spending his days, have to be returned to the active roster... and his presence, obviously, means that there is one less spot for a real player. The re-signings of Mo, Jorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie, Abreu, Pettitte, etc, have already forced some dudes off the roster - Bronson Sardines, Rasner, etc - but the Yanks know that if they could get Painvano off the list that would be ideal (I think at this point pretty much everyone would rather have anyone on the roster in Pavano's place), but they really don't have many options. The "solution" they came up with a few weeks ago was to offer to pay Pavano the rest of the money he is owed and try to get him to agree to go "rehab" (indefinitely) down in the minors. The moron balked at the idea, though - I guess getting $12.95 million to do jack shit when you have already done nothing for the team doesn't sound like a decent deal.

Help.