One of the best pitchers in the game is without a home. One of the most recognizable brands in baseball needs a pitcher, that could be said in a plural sense.
A record-breaking offer is on the table. You can hear crickets chirping if you listen hard enough.
Even in these difficult financial times for our country, it seems once again that for the Yankees, money is no object. It seems for CC Sabathia, that the same can be said.
Nothing has come of these events. Not a phone call, not a rumor leak, not a simple hello, no Mr. Cashman.
Generally speaking, the odds are CC will become a Yankee. That is assuming a lot, but between pressure from the players union to take the best offer, the lack of interest based on actual offers on the table, and Yankee tenacity, it's hard to imagine much else happening.
The real question is this. Why has it not already happened?
If one could bag Hank's hot air and sell it by the pound, they might make more than CC Sabathia stands to make with his new contract. One thing he said awhile back makes sense though.
When referring to Alex Rodriguez opting out of his contract Hank said, “If you don’t want to be a Yankee and paid what you’re being paid, we don’t want you, that’s the bottom line. You’d be hard-pressed to argue that point. If you don’t understand the magnitude of being a Yankee and understand what that means, and being the highest-paid player in baseball, I think it’s pretty obvious.”
Remove A-Rod's name and insert CC, it still makes sense. Rarely does Hank say something that is admirable or even accurate in some cases. When he said that about A-Rod, it was right on time. Every owner, or GM should feel that way about their players or potentials.
Why bother with someone who doesn't desire being a part of your organization? It doesn't matter if they brought back The Babe from the dead and made him a free agent. The Yanks could offer him the world and if he doesn't want it, what is the point?
The guy is a great pitcher. He's a natural leader. He changes the dynamic of any team just by putting his name on the 25 man roster. There is no mystery to why he is so highly coveted. He is simply an impact player.
For many years the Yanks have pursued high profile ball players with a vengeance. Some have worked out nicely, some have not. Just because they can afford a guy does not mean it is a good idea to run him down though.
CC has said what his preferences are. He wants to pitch in the National League where he can bat, he wants to play on the west coast close to his home. Facing a pitcher three times a game wont hurt his lifetime stats any either. Simply put the Yanks aren't on his list. Money has a way of changing criteria though, that is what the Yankees are banking on.
The bottom line is this. Remember the wisdom of Hank, if you don't want us we don't need you. Think about what Cashman said in reference to the free agent market, the market is a two-way street, you can love a player but they have to love you back.
So far, CC has expressed no desire to be a Yankee, he has shown not one ounce of love for the record deal placed at his feet. The question must be asked, why haven't the Yankees started the fires elsewhere for the sake of forward progress? Is there a Plan B?
Burnett is being linked with Atlanta as a possible home. Lowe has many more possible suitors than CC based on simple economics, he is a great pitcher at a much more affordable price. The competition will be stiff. Will the Yanks let them wind up somewhere else to hold out for a guy who apparently has no aspirations to be with the team?
At this point that Plan B, the Yanks surely have, should be put into action. Don't sit around and wait for this guy to do the math and decide there is no better option. Don't wait for CC to make the Yanks his Plan B. Move on.
For the sake of negotiations it might just light a fire if he hears that sweet deal he was offered is going to be pulled because the Yanks cant wait forever. God forbid the Yanks drop out and he has to take a lower salary from a team he really wants to play for.
The Yanks may just be playing the fool here. CC might be keeping them hanging just to raise the stakes for the team he really intends to pitch for.
Hopefully, CC does want to be a Yank. Hopefully he is waiting for the winter meetings in Vegas to make his move. Hopefully this article is very far off the mark. He could really help out in the big apple. The Yankees need him not the other way around that is for sure.
If he does not want it, the Yanks should move on. CC is a phenomenal talent and it's obvious why the Yanks will throw so much money at him. If he comes to them for money alone though, he becomes an ornament, an attraction. He can never be a Yankee, he has to want that.
Being a Yankee has to be Plan A for him, otherwise he may just be another excuse for every Yankee hater in the world to bash the organization for the typical run of the mill reasons. He will become another failed big-dollar free agent signing for the masses to attack.
If CC does not want to be a Yankee, he would be doing both himself and the Yanks, not to mention all of baseball a favor if he signed elsewhere and soon. Coming to NY for the money is not the way to go. There will be plenty of money no matter where he goes.
If he does want it, what is the hold up? All of baseball is practically on hold until this pans out. No one will know what the second tier free agent pitchers are worth until CC makes his move.
The world of baseball is waiting, sir, make your decision with your heart not your wallet. If you wind up elsewhere so be it, good luck. If you come to the Yankees you will be a god to the fans, you can help bring order back to the universe. Either way, make a decision, rapido, por favor.
8 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Chris Vodola 7 months ago
I don't think there's any question that CC is going to let the bidding process play itself out. If that means letting the Yankees sit and stew through the Winter Meetings, then so be it.
Personally, I would stay far away from Sabathia with that mega-contract he's aiming for. His best years are already behind him -- yes his Cy Young season and stellar 2008 are absolutely the two best years this man will ever have -- and the Yankees must stop paying stars for their past performances.
Giving this man a max type contract would be beyond fiscally irresponsible. Who cares where he wants to go? Just stay away, Hal.
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Todd Jackson 7 months ago
I too wonder about CC moving forward. CC is a big boy and pitching is not a natural motion for the human body. His work load this past season was heavy to say the least. I think hes a great pitcher, but I dont like waiting around for him to sweeten his offers from other teams. Either he does or does not want to pitch for the Yanks. Hes been given ample time to mull over this offer. If he hasnt given an answer soon, the Yanks need to pursue other options at the winter meetings IMO. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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SORAYA MADRID 7 months ago
i hpoe the yankkes get him i here hes great.
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Todd Jackson 7 months ago
He is a great pitcher, I hope he wants to be a Yankee, we sure need him. Thank you for commenting miss, take care and have a great weekend.
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Perry Arnold 7 months ago
Very good piece. This morning in the New York papers there was plenty of ink about Cashman sitting down with Scott Boras who is the agent for CC and also for Derek Lowe. John Feinsand in the Daily News indicated that Cash was meeting with Boras to talk about Lowe. But there is also word that Cashman plans to meet directly with Sabathia before the winter meetings open on Monday in Vegas. I think this thing has to break pretty soon. I am undecided about this thing about not wanting him if he doesn't want to come to New York. It is hard to imagine that anyone would really want to go to the Brewers as their baseball home, but man did he ever perform there. And Cleveland can't be the best possible place to play. If Boras is what he purports to be, he is going to make it clear to CC that New York is the center of the ad world and media world as well as the center of the baseball world. The $140 Mil is only the beginning of opportunities for a player who wants to come to NYC and do things right. The sky is the limit and surely this guy will think about that. On the other hand, how much money can any one person want and maybe he really cherishes the laid back California lifestyle. Go figure. I hope we get him but I still think a starting rotation that has Wang, Chamberlain, Hughes and Pettite is not too bad.
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Todd Jackson 7 months ago
Thanks for the comment Perry. I cant imagine someone not wanting to take advantage of the opportunity to be a Yankee for many reasons. Wasnt it Maddux who shunned us not so long ago though. It happens. At least he was up front about it. I imagine CC will be a Yank, I just dont like the game that is being played. Thats not just as a Yanks fan, he is holding up the entire market. Nobody wants to commit until he makes his move because he sets the bar in a way. Anyway, thanks for the read and comment. Im still rolling over your Stengal quotes, Id never heard the one about good pitching and good hitting, that was great. I personally loved line up by height in alphabetical order. Take care sir.
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Juni Ramos 7 months ago
Well too late todd...we got him ...now we just gotta wait and see...i think it was a good move by the yanks but he was a bit overpriced....
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Todd Jackson 7 months ago
I wrote this last week before this all came to be. I dont mind him being a Yankee, I just hope he wants everything that comes with it, the good and the bad. I think he can make his name into legend if he plays this right. If he takes the 3 year opt out, who knows. I think that is a bad idea but it sounded mandatory for any team he signed with. Im elated hes going to be a Yank, I just hope it was his heart not his wallet that signed that deal. As for overpriced, who do we have that isnt, that we didnt home grow? Its part of our makeup. I just hope he stays healthy. I read somehwere that in the history of baseball there has only been one pitcher who weighed more than him. Simply amazing. Thanks for reading and commenting. Now I can move on with my life, lol.
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