Carl Pavano is expected to make his decision on where he'll play next season by Monday or Tuesday, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Joe Christensen.

Christensen reports that the Twins have made a final offer and Pavano will take the weekend to consider it. At this point, Minnesota appears to be the heavy favorite. The 35-year-old Pavano went 17-11 last year with a 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

Twins general manager Bill Smith said Minnesota is still trying to sign Carl Pavano and hopes to get his answer in the next week, according to Joe Christensen.

The Twins inked Jim Thome Friday and Pavano is clearly now their utmost priority. Pavano, who turns 35 years old on Saturday, registered a solid 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP last season while earning a 17-11 record and is said to be looking for a three-year deal. Minnesota reportedly has held firm with a a two-year contract offer and the two sides appear to be working on the details of that sort of deal.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Twins are "still discussing particulars" with right-hander Carl Pavano.

The two sides are working toward a two-year contract and are expected to have something finalized by early next week. The holdup probably involves his annual salary and perhaps even the inclusion of performance-based incentives. Pavano, who turns 35 years old on Saturday, registered a solid 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP last season while earning a 17-11 record in 32 starts.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Twins are closing in on a two-year deal with free agent righty Carl Pavano.

Pavano was thought to be asking for a three-year deal all winter and he may have been able to land it from a non-contender, but he chose to stay with 2010 American League Central champion Twins instead. The 34-year-old posted a strong 17-11 record, 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 32 starts last season and should do well again this year for Minnesota.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates are still mildly interested in free agent right-hander Carl Pavano, but "will not set the price" for him.

In other words, they aren't willing to give him a three-year contract. Assuming the Royals or some other team isn't willing to go there, it's difficult to see a scenario where he wouldn't return to the Twins, where he has the best chance to win and gets to pitch in what appears to be a great home ballpark.

Multiple team sources tell Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com that the Nationals are not actively pursuing Carl Pavano.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said as much on Tuesday. Pavano is currently seeking a three-year deal and unless he lowers his demands, the Nationals won't be in the mix. Jon Heyman of SI.com has reported that the Royals and Pirates are among his other options, but Pavano is clearly losing leverage with the Twins.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo downplayed his club's interest in free agent right-hander Carl Pavano.

"I hear we are 'the finalist' along with the Twins," said Rizzo. "We've never spoken to Pavano and we haven't talked to his agent since the winter meetings." Assuming this isn't some sort of negotiation strategy, it's safe to say the Nationals are out. The Twins have to be looked at as the favorite at this point, though Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com reported on Tuesday that Pavano is still entertaining interest from "a handful of teams." Stay tuned.

A source tells Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com that while the Twins and Nationals are pushing hard for Carl Pavano, the free agent right-hander is still entertaining interest from "a handful of teams."

And you thought we were done with the whole "mystery team" thing? Not yet, it appears. Pavano is believed to be seeking a three-year deal, and with the crazy money being thrown around this winter, he still has a pretty good chance of getting it.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com hears that the Rangers aren't a player for Carl Pavano.

According to Morosi, the Rangers signed Brandon Webb as their rotation upgrade, for better or worse. That likely leaves the Twins and Nationals as the last teams standing. Pavano, who turns 35 this week, is currently holding out for a three-year contract.

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo hears that Carl Pavano could make a decision this week on which team he'll pitch for.

By all accounts, it's down to the Twins and Nationals. Will he take the bigger contract (Nationals) or the comfortableness and playing for a contender (Twins)? It could come down to whether or not the Nationals are willing to offer him three years.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's La Velle Neal III thinks the Twins will have no trouble re-signing Carl Pavano if he ends up settling for a two-year deal.

Pavano has reportedly been holding out for a Ted Lilly-type contract (three years, $33 million), and he might end up getting it from the Nationals, who appear to be the Twins' biggest competition for the right-hander. But, if the Nats decide three years for Pavano is too risky, the Twins could swoop in with a two-year, $20 million-ish offer that should be enough to get it done.

The Twins and Nationals are still competing for free agent starter Carl Pavano, according to the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.

Kilgore adds that a decision could come later this week. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported Sunday that Pavano was holding out for a three-year deal -- presumably worth $10-11 million annually. The 34-year-old posted a 17-11 record, 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 32 starts this past season for Minnesota and is the top starting pitcher available.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Carl Pavano is holding out for a three-year deal.

Pavano is regarded as the best free agent starter still available. He is justifiably seeking a three-year contract worth $10-11 million per season, similar to those received by Ted Lilly and Jorge De La Rosa this winter. Cafardo indicates that Minnesota, Washington and Texas are still interested and writes that Seattle could enter the picture if they free up budget space.

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, while the Nationals have fallen behind the Cubs and Rangers for Brandon Webb, the club remains interested in Carl Pavano.

The two sides even spoke on Sunday, according to Ladson. The Nationals have been on an endless hunt for starting pitching this winter, but have whiffed on all of them. Pavano, widely regarded as the best free agent starter left on the board, is said to be seeking a three-year contract worth $10-11 million per season, similar to those received by Ted Lilly and Jorge De La Rosa this winter.

Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com believes that the Twins have regained leverage in negotiations with free agent Carl Pavano after the Zack Greinke trade.

We aren't so sure. While Milwaukee is clearly out of the Pavano race with Greinke's acquisition, Washington and Texas should both have a renewed urgency to strike a deal. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe believes Pavano would take $36 million over three years, a contract in line with Ted Lilly's pact with the Dodgers ($33 million over three years) and Jorge De La Rosa's deal with the Rockies (about $32 million guaranteed over three years).

One general manager tells Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that Carl Pavano wants a three-year deal worth $10-11 million per season.

In other words, he wants a contract similar to what Ted Lilly and Jorge De La Rosa have received this winter. Now that he's suddenly the top free agent starter left on the market, he just might get it. For now, the Nationals and Brewers are unwilling to go beyond two years while the Rangers aren't involved in talks. Rosenthal hears that the Twins remain the front-runner, but that their offer will likely depend on the outcome of negotiations with Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel was told by a "good source" that that the Brewers "definitely" remain in the hunt for Carl Pavano.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin seemed to downplay the club's interest at Shaun Marcum's press conference on Tuesday, but they are still very much alive. However, expect plenty of competition. The Twins and Nationals are mentioned most often in connection with Pavano, while the Rangers could emerge as a suitor now that Cliff Lee has signed with the Phillies.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Tuesday that he has not made an offer to free-agent right-hander Carl Pavano.

"I talked to (agent) Tom O'Connell yesterday just to gauge interest," said Melvin. It's clear that the Brewers have interest in Pavano, but there was a report last week that club was reluctant to go beyond two years to sign him. With the Twins interested in retaining him and the Rangers now out looking for starting pitching after missing out on Cliff Lee, Milwaukee probably isn't a realistic landing spot.

An American League executive told the New York Post's Joel Sherman that the Rangers are likely to join the hunt for free agent Carl Pavano.

Pavano has been waiting for Cliff Lee to sign and will now be courted aggressively as one of the few reliable starters remaining on the open market. The Yanks probably won't touch him, but the Rangers are in the running along with the Twins, Brewers and Nationals. Pavano, 34, posted a 17-11 record, 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 32 starts for Minnesota this past year.

La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune doesn't believe that "the Twins have to match the best offer to keep (Carl) Pavano."

According to the report, Pavano has told teammates and club officials that he wants to stay with the Twins. Neal believes the Twins have the inside track on the veteran starter if they make a two-year offer with an option for a third year. Pavano reportedly wants a three-year deal with an average of $10 million per season, but it's unknown if he's been offered three years by any organization. The 34-year-old posted a 17-11 record, 3.75 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 32 starts this past season for Minnesota.