New York Yankees 2012 Season Outlook: C.C. Sabathia

As the 2012 MLB season nears, there are high expectations for the New York Yankees. The Yankees' lineup roster is generally the same as 2011, in which they were 97-65 and the No. 1 team in the American League. 

What I am going to do is take an in-depth look at each Yankees player and give an overall outlook for their 2012 season.

I will start with the Yankees' ace, C.C. Sabathia.

Outlooks completed:

Mariano Rivera: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1067304-new-york-yankees-2012-season-outlook-mariano-rivera

Nick Swisher: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1059749-new-york-yankees-2012-season-outlook-nick-swisher

Mark Teixeira: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1061285-new-york-yankees-2012-season-outlook-mark-teixeira

Ivan Nova: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1062703-new-york-yankees-2012-season-outlook-ivan-nova

Curtis Granderson: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1065061-new-york-yankees-2012-season-outlook-curtis-granderson

History

C.C. Sabathia has had an extremely impressive career so far, and if he continues to play like he has, he is going to the Hall of Fame.

Sabathia started his career with the Cleveland Indians in 2001, at the age of 20. He spent seven full seasons with them and then at the trade deadline in 2008 (eighth season), he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Sabathia's stats with Cleveland:

Total: 107-71, 3.83 ERA,1265 Ks

Average (not including 2008): 14-9, 3.83 ERA, 163 Ks

Sabathia was traded to the Brewers in order to help them make a playoff and World Series push. He was all that they could have wanted and more. He continuously pitched deep into games and pitched on short rest down the stretch. I think he deserved to be the 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner.

Sabathia's stats with Milwaukee:

17 starts, 11-2, 1.65 ERA, 128 Ks, seven complete games, three shutouts

Sabathia became a free agent after his impressive run with the Brewers. Obviously the Yankees were extremely interested in him and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He has been worth every penny so far with the Yankees as he helped them win a World Series in 2009 and has finished in the top five of Cy Young voting each year.

Sabathia's stats with New York:

Total: 59-23, 3.18 ERA, 624 Ks, 705 innings pitched, seven complete games, two shutouts

Average: 20-8, 3.18 ERA, 208 Ks, 235 innings pitched

Health

Sabathia is a big man. He is billed at 6'7" and 290 pounds, although he most likely weighs more than that. This has caused many to question whether he will be capable of staying healthy.

Despite some doubts, Sabathia has been one of the most durable players in baseball and continues to among the league leaders in innings pitched.

There is no reason to think that this trend will stop in 2012. Sabathia should be on the mound every fifth day for the New York Yankees next season.

Monthly Predictions for 2012

March/April

Totals: 17-14, 4.08 ERA, 246 Ks, 50 starts

Average: 1.55-1.27, 4.08 ERA, 22.36 Ks, 4.55 starts

2012 Prediction: 2-1, 3.59 ERA, 27 Ks, five starts

May

Totals: 33-18, 3.47 ERA, 320 Ks, 64 starts

Average: 3-1.64, 3.47 ERA, 29 Ks, 5.82 starts

2012 Prediction: 4-1, 2.60 ERA, 38 Ks, six starts

June

Totals: 31-12, 3.60 ERA, 324 Ks, 59 starts

Average: 2.82-1.09, 3.60 ERA, 29.45 Ks, 5.36 starts

2012 Prediction: 2-3, 3.97 ERA, 29 Ks, six starts

July

Totals: 25-25, 3.99 ERA, 349 Ks, 60 starts

Average: 2.27-2.27, 3.99 ERA, 31.73 Ks, 5.45 starts

2012 Prediction: 3-1, 3.22 ERA, 36 Ks, five starts

August

Totals: 41-12, 3.29 ERA, 418 Ks, 64 starts

Average: 3.73-1.09, 3.29 ERA, 38 Ks, 5.82 starts

2012 Prediction: 4-1, 2.75 ERA, 42 Ks, six starts

September/October

Totals: 29-15, 2.82 ERA, 360 Ks, 58 starts

Average: 2.64-1.36. 2.82 ERA, 32.73 Ks, 5.27 starts

2012 Prediction: 5-1, 1.81 ERA, 46 Ks, six starts

Overall 2012 Prediction:

20-8, 2.97 ERA, 218 Ks, 34 starts

Awards

Sabathia's pitching in the last two months of the season will be crucial in helping the Yankees win the AL East division.

Unfortunately, he will not get as much respect as he deserves because he is on the Yankees. However, I think his play down the stretch will earn him second place in the 2012 AL Cy Young Award voting and somewhere around 15th place in the AL MVP award.