MIN Star-Tribune: Pavano gets on board via arbitration

Righthander Carl Pavano on Monday night agreed to accept arbitration from the team, locking him into the 2010 roster and giving the Twins the veteran starter they coveted. The move also could make it easier for the club to deal lefthander Glen Perkins, who butted heads with the coaching staff during the season and later filed a grievance to regain lost service time.

Working on an 11 p.m. deadline Monday to accept or reject arbitration, Pavano’s agent, Tom O’Connell, met with clubs for other offers. Cleveland and Milwaukee were among interested teams, but Pavano picked the Twins because he felt comfortable in the clubhouse.

“And he also feels that the club has a very good chance to win,” O’Connell said.
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After Pavano made $4.35 million last season, arbitration could boost his 2010 salary into the $7 million range.
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Pavano, 33, joins a rotation that includes three other sure things in righthanders Scott Baker (15-9, 4.37 last season), Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.03) and Kevin Slowey (10-3, 4.86 before a broken wrist ended his season in July).

That sets up quite a battle in spring training for the fifth rotation spot between lefthanders Brian Duensing and Francisco Liriano and righthanders Boof Bonser, Anthony Swarzak and Jeff Manship.