Morning briefing

His bank account is not hurting

How does $11 million to play in the minors sound?

Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano, who signed a four-year contract with New York in late 2004 for nearly $40 million, has been hobbled by injuries ever since.

In his first three years with the Yankees, the 31-year-old right-hander has started only 19 games and has five victories. He also underwent elbow surgery in June.

Now, the Yankees want to release Pavano from his contract -- and open a spot on their roster -- by paying the $11 million they owe him for next year and a $1.95-million buyout for 2009, according to Newsday.

In addition, the club wants to re-sign him to a minor league contract so Pavano would still be in the organization if he successfully recovers from the surgery.

As of now, though, Pavano is “arguably the worst free-agent signing in the history of the franchise,” Newsday reported.

Pavano has not yet decided whether to accept the minor league deal, according to Tom O’Connell, who recently became the fourth agent to represent Pavano.

Trivia time

When this year’s baseball season ended, Greg Maddux led active National League pitchers with 347 career wins, followed by Tom Glavine (303) and Randy Johnson (284).

But which one has earned the most money during his career?

Lost treasure

Michael Vick, the disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback, stands to lose at least $142 million because of his crimes, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution estimated.

That includes $71 million of salary in the final seven seasons of his Falcons contract, which the team is expected to terminate.

There also is $50 million of lost endorsement income over the next decade, and nearly $20 million of previously paid bonuses that an arbitrator has ruled the Falcons can recoup from Vick.

That losing feeling

Weekend golfers could relate to Ernie Els’ groans after he blew a two-shot lead last weekend on the final hole at a tournament in South Africa.

Els twice found the water on the part-five 18th to lose the Alfred Dunhill Championship to John Bickerton.

The collapse left Els “about the most disappointed I’ve ever felt walking off a golf course,” he wrote on his website.

“But hey, let’s keep things in proportion,” Els added. “This is sport. It’s not like anyone died out there.”

Whole lotta love

The reunion of Led Zeppelin, which played its first concert in more than two decades Monday in London, was a momentous night for its fans worldwide.

They apparently include SportsBusinessDaily.com. The headlines for each of its main stories Tuesday was borrowed from the band’s song titles:

“Communication Breakdown” -- On the battle over which NFL games are carried on cable television.

“Bring It On Home” -- On the Orlando Magic unveiling plans for a new $480-million arena.

“What Is and What Should Never Be” -- On whether Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL after serving his 23-month federal prison sentence for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring.

Plate name

Remember the UCLA football fan with the license plates “13 TO 9” in honor of UCLA’s upset over USC in 2006, and who now needs new plates after the Trojans’ 24-7 win over its archrival early this month?

Several suggestions arrived from readers offering solace for UCLA fans: W8TIL08 (wait ‘till ‘08), 1ST2100 (first to 100 NCAA championships) and BCNUN08 (be seein’ you in ‘08).

But we thought this was the standout: WE BRU IT.

Trivia answer

Randy Johnson, with $152.5 million in pay during his career, according to baseball-reference.com. Maddux followed at $143.9 million and Glavine earned $120.6 million.

And finally

Reader Joel B. Miller and others noted that Monday’s quip from another reader that Vick’s 23-month sentence equaled 161 dog months might have been clever -- but the math was reversed. It should have equaled 3.3 dog months.

As to why Briefing didn’t catch the gaffe in the first place, well, the cat has our tongue.

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james.peltz@latimes.com