Pavano Delays Meeting With Angels

The Carl Pavano Across America tour came to an abrupt halt before it reached Anaheim when the exhausted free-agent pitcher returned to Montreal on Wednesday to resume winter workouts with his personal trainer.

Pavano, one of the top pitchers on the market, had visited Boston, Detroit, the New York Yankees, Baltimore and Seattle, and the right-hander was scheduled to meet with the Angels today. But Pavano’s agent, Scott Shapiro, called Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman on Wednesday to cancel.

“We’ve been to five cities in seven days, and it was just too much for him,” Shapiro said. “His sleep isn’t where it needs to be, and the trip is having an impact on his off-season workout regimen. He has a great appreciation for the Angel organization, but he needs to get back to his normal routine.”

Shapiro traveled from Seattle to Anaheim on Wednesday and said it’s possible he will meet with Stoneman today. If not, Shapiro said he would meet with the Angels at some point during the winter meetings, which begin Friday in Anaheim.

Shapiro told Stoneman that Pavano’s cancellation in no way diminishes the Angels’ chances of signing the pitcher, who was 18-8 with a 3.00 earned-run average for Florida last season. Pavano, who was offered salary arbitration by the Marlins, hopes to make a decision in the next week or so.

“The Angels are absolutely an organization Carl thinks has a chance to win championships,” Shapiro said. “But there are only so many trips you can take in so short of a time. We ran out of dates.”

Stoneman didn’t seem too disappointed.

“I told his agent that was fine with me,” Stoneman said. “I don’t like operating in public; behind the scenes works great for me.”