Carl Pavano arrived in Florida during the 2002 season after a trade with the Expos, a pitcher whose career was later defined by health struggles in New York but reached its peak in the sun of Miami. While he began his tenure as a versatile arm moving between the rotation and the bullpen, he quickly emerged as a reliable workhorse.

After a solid introduction in late 2002, Pavano spent 2003 proving his durability by logging over 200 innings for the first time. While his regular season record of 12-13 was modest, he saved his best work for the postseason. He operated as a versatile weapon for manager Jack McKeon, appearing in eight games and posting a stellar 1.40 ERA over 19.1 innings. His brilliance in the World Series against the Yankees, where he allowed only one run over eight innings in Game 4, was vital in securing the franchise’s second World Series championship.

Pavano followed that with his best season, going to his only All-Star Game and posting career-highs in Wins (18), ERA (3.00), Innings (222.1), and WHIP (1.174).  With a sixth-place Cy Young finish, his stock had never been higher, and you know what that means.  Pavano got paid big time: by the New York Yankees.

With the Marlins, Pavano had a record of 33-23 with 313 Strikeouts.