Pavano Meets With Tigers Executives

Friday, December 3rd 2004, 7:45 pm

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) _ Carl Pavano met Al Kaline, worked out at Comerica Park and went to the Oakland Hills Country Club on Friday, part of the Detroit Tigers' effort to recruit the free-agent righty.

Pavano talked with manager Alan Trammell, pitching coach Bob Cluck, owner Mike Ilitch and team president Dave Dombrowski.

``I felt really comfortable, had some great conversations,'' Pavano said. ``It was really informative, answered a lot of questions that needed to be answered.''

Dombrowski said Detroit made an offer to Pavano before he arrived Thursday, but the general manager wouldn't discuss the terms.

Pavano, 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA last season for Florida, left Friday night for New York, where he was to spend the weekend meeting with Yankees officials. Pavano's agent, Scott Shapiro, said talks with the Tigers will continue.

``Detroit was fantastic,'' Shapiro said. ``You couldn't ask for a more accommodating host. They made everyone we wanted to talk to available.''

Shapiro said Pavano had a chance to work out in the Tigers' training room and spend time with Kaline, the Tigers Hall of Famer who is a team special assistant. Kaline showed Pavano around town and took him to Oakland Hills, the suburban golf course where this year's Ryder Cup was held.

If Pavano decides to sign with Detroit, he would join closer Troy Percival as major offseason signings.

``There's a lot of positive energy in the organization,'' Shapiro said. ``You can get a sense Detroit is really building something special there.''

Percival agreed on Nov. 17 to a $12 million, two-year contract with the Tigers. The 35-year-old was 2-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 33 saves last season with Anaheim.

Ivan Rodriguez, Pavano's catcher with the Florida championship team, signed with Detroit last year.

Pavano, 28, has a 57-58 record in seven years with the Expos and Marlins. He previously met with Boston, and also plans to visit Baltimore, Seattle and Anaheim.