C.C. Sabathia Could End Up A Yankee

The Yankees are in desperate need of starting pitching. We all know that. Instead of sitting around waiting for Roger Clemens, New Yorkers have already started wondering who the Yankees can trade for in July.

From the New York Post:

If the Indians tumble out of playoff contention, they are expected to deal lefty ace C.C. Sabathia since they aren't expected to sign him.

If it's in the Post then it has to be true.

Of course it's just a rumor printed in a newspaper, so in reality it doesn't mean anything but it does have some of it's facts right. The Indians have already re-signed Jake Westbrook to a three-year extension, and the team is trying to work out a new deal for Travis Hafner.

They haven't said anything about working out a new deal for Sabathia. The big left-hander will probably be too expensive for the Indians to retain next season, and with his injury history the team probably feels it's not worth the risk. So if the Indians do fall out of contention, than it's not crazy to think Sabathia could be gone in July.

The question is whether or not the Indians will be out of it in July. They won't be. The AL Central, barring a major injury or two, is going to be a four-team race all season. So if Sabathia does end up in a Yankees uniform, I wouldn't expect to see it until next season.

Previously at the Fanhouse:
Sabathia Looking To Cash In
Jake Westbrook Is Rich

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-01-2007 @ 1:11PM

Greg said...

It would never happen. The Indians have a team built to win now, and giving away your ace really hurts them in '08. Plus the Yankees have nothing to give them.

5-01-2007 @ 1:22PM

gregy606 said...

It would never happen for the simple reason that The Indians are built to win now, so trading him even if they are out of it in '07 would kill them in '08. Not to mention they are desparate to sell tickets, and trading him would really kill their walk-ups in '07 or '08, thus making it a VERY poor PR move as well. Plus The Yankees simply don't have jack to give them for Sabathia. While I agree we won't extend Sabathia(no had injury history with his arm is important to note), we would only deal him if we fell out of it in '08.

5-01-2007 @ 4:06PM

insomniac said...

I don't get why Cleveland would trade him this year. He's not a free agent until after the 2008 season.

5-02-2007 @ 3:21PM

LoafingOaf said...

That NY Post article is absurd. Who has said they are "expected" to deal Sabathia if the season goes badly? I don't know why they would be thinking that since it's extremely unlikely they'll be out of it in July, there's very few teams who would deal for Sabathia with his contract about to expire, and thought the Yankees are one of those teams, the Yankees have nothing to trade to make it a good deal for the Indians' short-term goals.

This is a New York journalist pulling something out of his rear end because CC Sabathia would be the ideal pitcher for the Yankees right now to rescue their collapsing season. But even if something goes wrong this season for the Indians, the Indians will be a contender in 2008. It's an understatement to say the fans would be POed if our ace were traded this year. Mark Shapiro would have a full-on fan revolt on his hands, as the Indians' organization has had to struggle to regain the trust of fans in recent years that they are serious about winning.

Sabathia is not really a big injury risk, as his injuries have been minor and he's taken steps to prevent the abdominal issues. (Though the Yankees would be dangerous for him to pitch for as they are dangerous for all pitchers this year, since they apparently are doing something in their handling of pitchers that is causing a rash of injuries. Now that's something the NY Post should be investigating!)

The Indians do intend to try and re-sign Sabathia, but obviously it's largely up to Sabathia if that can happen. As we saw with Westbrook, when a pitcher wants to stay a deal can be worked out. I suspect CC would wanna go to an NL team like the Giants, where he can hit, have better stats, and be close to home. But if Sabathia winds up in pinstripes, I wouldn't expect it to happen till the season after next season, sorry.

Whatever happens in 2008, the mantra in Cleveland is that we have rare riches in 7 solid starting pitchers and we should hoard them and take our best shot. The future is now. No pitchers will be traded. Sorry.

5-10-2007 @ 2:18AM

Manning said...

The Yankees should make a big trade with the Cubs, like A Rod and say prospect Hughes for Zambrano and say Itzturis. Cubs could move A Rod back to short.

Cubs could add in an outfielder and Yanks a top prospect.

5-23-2007 @ 4:23PM

jimmy james said...

manning your a freaking retard. like that would happen. you people are stupid this trade will happen. if your gonna loose sabathia later anyways why not get something back right now like a rod. the yankees dont want him and the indians need a good thirdbaseman and a big right handed batter. so this deal would make everyone happy. duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.