NYC News
Will He Stay or Go: C.C. Sabathia
As the World Series gets underway, it seems appropriate to discuss the Yankees. And not because they are not playing in the World Series, but rather because the Yankees are about to determine whether or not they'll have a chance to play in the 2012 Fall Classic.
With the stroke of a pen, C.C. Sabathia can greatly enhance or hamper the chances for the Yanks to have a special season next year. The Yankees fully expect Sabathia to void the final four years of his contract, worth $92 million, unless both sides can come to an agreement before that. If Sabathia voids his contract, he could re-sign with the Yankees, most likely at a higher price, or move on to pitch for another club. The latter scenario has Yankee fans worried, because the organization has a lack of quality starting pitching to begin with.
A.J. Burnett. Phil Hughes. Ivan Nova. Hardly going to intimidate the American League next year.
Which brings us back to Sabathia, who is a better pitcher than anyone else the Yankees could acquire via free agency during the offseason. The next best options are C.J. Wilson and Adam Wainwright, and the latter didn't throw a pitch all season.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote an interesting blog post today, comparing the Sabathia situation to that of Derek Jeter just a year ago. Sherman is a strong believer that Sabathia will leave, and writes today that Jeter's negotiations last year may be part of the reason. Sherman references the Jeter negotiations: the Yankees were concerned about his long-term future, but Jeter thought the Yankees would give in to his requests because of what he meant to the franchise. Clearly, Jeter didn't get all that he wanted, and the Yankees publicly said they were willing to let Jeter go elsewhere.
So why would the Yankees treat the Sabathia negotiations any differently? Sabathia means less to the organization than Jeter ever has, and his workload gives the Yankees reason to question his future potential. This isn't to say, of course, that the Yankees aren't praying Sabathia is their ace next season, because they are. You saw the top three potential starters for 2012 without him. But if Sabathia thinks the Yankees are going to give him a contract that sets all sorts of records for a pitcher, he needs only look to the contract given to Jeter for reference.
Sherman writes, and I agree, that if Sabathia thinks he can get more elsewhere, he should certainly try. But it's doubtful it would force the Yankees' hand too much.
My prediction: Sabathia gets $120 million from another team and takes it. I would certainly not be surprised if he remained a Yankee, but my gut tells me he's gone.
And if he does leave, there will be plenty of panic in the Bronx this fall and winter.
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Photo Credits: Susan Walsh/ Associated Press
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