Hal Steinbrenner's First Act as Yankee Boss: Setting a Deadline on CC Sabathia Offer

Posted Nov 21, 2008 9:05AM By Josh Alper (RSS feed)

When the news broke yesterday that Hal Steinbrenner would be succeeding his father at the top of the Yankee hierarchy, the move was praised. It wasn't so much about Hal, though he seemed quite competent, as it was about the Yankees not choosing Hank Steinbrenner. Sure, he'll still do and say crazy things when it comes to free agents, but at least it's the sane guy in charge of actually signing them.

Well, maybe. Hal sounded like he was doing an impression of Hank doing his impression of their dad when he spoke to reporters about CC Sabathia yesterday.

"We've made him an offer. It's not going to be there forever,"

Now, it bears mention that Yankee deadlines ("We will never negotiate with A-Rod if he opts out!") are meant to be broken, but someone should remind Hal that the Yankees need CC a lot more than CC needs the Yankees. Everywhere you look you see something saying that Sabathia prefers the NL and the West Coast but can't turn down Yankee money. Why give him the chance to get what he wants without upsetting the union?

There's no pitcher close to Sabathia on the market. Overpaying for A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe and Andy Pettitte would become a necessity, and you still wouldn't have an ace to head your rotation. You can afford to make any moves you like while Sabathia makes his decision, trying to force the issue can only come back to hurt you.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-21-2008 @ 11:47AM

TheHulk said...

CC would have to be a Jack*ss not to take the Yankees offer!!
1. Highest Paid pitcher
2. A-Rod, Jeter and Rivara on you team the whole time of contract.
3. New Facilities
4. The chance to win in NY
Only a man who is unsure of himself would walk away...

11-21-2008 @ 1:36PM

Odie said...

I'm sure every player is just praying for that phone call from the insane Steinbrenner duo. It may be a surprise but not every baseball player out there is dying to be a Yankee. Would he be a fool not to take the offer because of the money, yes, but I don't think playing w/ A-Rod, Jeter, and so forth is high on C.C.'s priority list.
I think one of his biggest considerations revolves around his desire to play in the NL. If he gets an even comparable offer from an NL team, my guess would be he takes it.

11-21-2008 @ 10:40PM

kjoh said...

The thing is no NL team is going to offer any where near the offer that the yankees have. 40 million a year!! That is just ridiculous. Think about it, that means a million a start counting the playoffs and possibly more. Of course Hank could be thinking CC could go on short rest a few times. That is an insand amount of money, CC has to think if being in the pressure packed organization of the yankees and being in NY is worth it. Plus he did seem to enjoy hitting for the brewers as well. So maybe 30 million a year might pursuade him??

11-21-2008 @ 1:19PM

jacks said...

Ok dont be fooled, the little boys will do just like daddy has been doing. Daddy will be in the boys ears all the time, telling them what to do and when to do it. And the Yanks will continue to do the one thing thats got them championships in the past, buy them.
The Yanks will do the one thing that has brought them their pennants, pay for them, thats the one thing that will cheapen the Boss's years as owner.