I’d like to follow up my rant from this morning by saying I think the Twins front office made a good move today by acquiring Carl Pavano from the Indians for probably almost nothing.

You can rip the Twins for not making a more significant move pre-deadline (as I have), but don’t rip the Twins for this trade.

Most Twins fans are pissed about this trade, which is fine, but be pissed for the right reasons. Be pissed because the Twins didn’t acquire a reliever pre-deadline. Be pissed they didn’t make a big splash previously.

But don’t be pissed about the acquisition of Pavano, because he’s not as bad as you think he is.

Pavano’s 5.whatever ERA is a bit deceiving. He currently sports a 4.26 FIP (scaled to equal ERA, for those not familiar), and he rarely issues free passes (1.65 BB/9), while striking out a respectable 6.3 batters per 9.

Pavano’s problem comes with his 19 HRs allowed this season, and his propensity to get shelled (six starts of at least 5 ER allowed).

Is he a top-notch starter? No. Is he “the answer?” Probably not. Overall, however, Pavano is probably now the Twins’ third-best starter behind Blackburn and Baker. Not to mention, he replaces R.A. Dickey on the roster.

So, while there are many things to rip this season, the acquisition of Carl Pavano is not one of them.