I think the Twins are really better off saying no to Pavano and saving the money to improve other area's of the team. It's to much of a risk spending money on him when we have the young pitchers to take up the slack. I know it's a gamble, but it gives us so much more flexibility. We can try and make a trade, or sign other free agents to improve the team. Let the young pichers see what they can do and you can always try and improve at mid-season if you have to. I think spending on a RH bat, or Thome, and/or a proven relief pitcher benefits us more. Also  if they really want Pavano, the waiting has really benefited them. His market has gotten smaller and smaller and if they wait long enough they will get him on their terms, if that's what they really want. Let  Manship,Gibson,Bromberg,or 1 of our minor league free agent signings vie for starting status. We already have 5 starters and saving the money for later and not signing Pavano just makes sense. There is a 50/50 chance Pavano doesn't perform better than those young pitchers anyway. Or you can try and trade for a starter that doesn't make as much as Pavano would. Just too much payroll to put out there for a possibly marginal pitcher. It's always been the Twins way to let the young players prove themselves anyway, with a pretty good track record.