C.C. Sabathia to The Bronx: Is This a Bad Idea at This Point?

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.