Will $100 Million Lure CC Back?

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that the Brewers could offer CC Sabathia a four-year, $100 million contract:

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The figure I’m hearing that Milwaukee might offer CC? $100 mill for four years. They’re hoping that by going with fewer years and more per year, they can keep him. He’s indicated to friends a serious interest in staying there, he liked it so much.

The Brewers might help their chances of signing him if they pick up the option on Cameron, who’s a good friend of CC’s.

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Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors weighs in:

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With Cameron, the Brewers figure to have over $70MM committed (not including Chris Capuano).  It’s hard to see the Brewers backloading an already huge $25MM salary to Sabathia, so they’d probably have to take payroll to the mid $90MM range to fit him in.  Keeping Cameron and Sabathia would seem to limit roster construction - it could necessitate a Prince Fielder or J.J. Hardy trade, or leave little money for third base or the bullpen.

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I was waiting to hear a rumor about the figures the Brewers would offer so we could start to figure out how serious the Brewers will be in their attempt to resign Sabathia. If these figures are true, or even close to true, (and remember, this is just a rumor from an Atlanta newspaper), the Brewers are very, very serious. Committing $25 million a year to one player will stretch the Brewers financially. That is a fact. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that they paid the whole team $25 million. If this rumor is true, it’s a clear sign that the Brewers have no intentions of sitting back for a year or two and letting the young team develop before pushing for another playoff run. Teams with $90-95 million payrolls expect to win now.

From CC’s perspective, this has to be attractive. He has made it no secret that he enjoyed his time with the Brewers and is close to several of his Brewer teammates. He’d be coming back to a clubhouse he is comfortable in and remain a part of a young team with a powerful offense that should continue to grow for the next several seasons. Sabathia would be leaving some money on the table since he’d be giving up two years, but he’d be getting more money per season. Plus, he’d be just 32 when he’d be hitting the open market again, likely for his last big contract. I’m guessing teams would pay a lot more for a 32-year-old pitcher than a 34-year-old.

There is little doubt the Yankees are going to set the price for Sabathia. If Sabathia wants top dollar, he’ll go there and I wouldn’t blame him a bit. But he has said that an environment that’s right for his family and personal happiness are also very important to him. Milwaukee can offer both, and apparently the Brewers won’t look too shabby from a financial standpoint either.

It’s probably still a long shot, but there’s reason to hope, Brewers fans.