Opening day pitcher for the 2009 New York Yankees... C.C. Sabathia?

The Yankees' yearly budget has remained largely stagnant for the past several years at around $200 million. At the end of this season, it's not very likely that both Mike Mussina and Jason Giambi will remain Yankees (unless both agree to much lower contract deals). But let's say hypothetically that both were to leave the team after this season... that's $40 million just from those two players. C.C. Sabathia will be a free agent after this season and he will be looking for a Johan Santana calibur contract. Even with Alex Rodriguez's super contract, the Yankees have more than enough money to lock up C.C..

The reason why the Yankees did not get Johan Santana was that the orginization was unwilling to part with two of their three young guns (Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Joba Chamberlain was not even a consideration at any point). Money actually would have been moderately tight with Johan Santana on the roster, making the Yankees even more reluctant to pick him up which, when all added up, concluded to the Yankees backing out of trade talks with the Twins.

Now it's different. The 2007 Cy Young winner, C.C. Sabathia will be a free agent after this season. He will be 28 years old at the end of this season. Attaining a free agent serves no threat to being forced to trade yound talent, which is exactly what the Yankees want. Putting the pieces together, the large sum of money the Yankees have to spare can be spent on Sabathia. In this possible and highly likely turn of events, both the Yankees and Sabathia would get exactly what they wanted. Sabathia would get the big contract he rightfully deserves as one of the game's best pitchers, a most likely lengthy contract of at least 6 years, and a great shot at the world series every year he is there. The Yankees would get a genuine #1 starter that could give them the push they need to finally break through in the playoffs.

So what are your thoughts? In my mind, given the situation and what I've stated, I believe it's highly improbable that the Yankees not get Sabathia. The biggest thing that can prevent Sabathia from moving to another team would be him wanting to simply stay with the Indians. He enjoys himself there but simply will not get the contract he desires with them. Not to ignore other rich teams, the Red Sox, Mets, Tigers, and Angels would be as willing to pounce on C.C. given that they can outbid the Yankees somehow.

Please remember... this isn't a thread to complain about how much money the Yankees have and how much you hate them. This is simply to discuss your opinion of the most likely future team of C.C. Sabathia. My bet is obviously the Yankees.

i think this topic was better in system wars....Fiji-Water

Haha... you went out of your way to look for this didn't you? :) Yeah that was just a stupid mistake. But watch as my makeshift GTA topic balloons to 100+ replies while I get like 5 for this one... >_>

This is definitely possible, and perhaps likely. Like the TC stated, CC to the Yanks is like a match made in Heaven. The scenario will be absolutely perfect. The Bronx Bombers will get their true ace while staying within budget, and they won't have to give up any promising young arms in the process. CC will get his money and a chance to win the World Series each and every year.

A rotation with Chien Ming Wang (one can argue that he is already an ace), Philip Hughes (potential to be an ace, and I think he will definitely be contending for a Cy Young in 09), and Sabathia could be lethal. The Yanks could quite possibly obtain the best starting rotation in all of baseball with such an acquisition, and we all know that the offense is already potent...

This is definitely possible, and perhaps likely. Like the TC stated, CC to the Yanks is like a match made in Heaven. The scenario will be absolutely perfect. The Bronx Bombers will get their true ace while staying within budget, and they won't have to give up any promising young arms in the process. CC will get his money and a chance to win the World Series each and every year.

A rotation with Chien Ming Wang (one can argue that he is already an ace), Philip Hughes (potential to be an ace, and I think he will definitely be contending for a Cy Young in 09), and Sabathia could be lethal. The Yanks could quite possibly obtain the best starting rotation in all of baseball with such an acquisition, and we all know that the offense is already potent...

guitarman89

Obtaining C.C. could spell dynasty if and only if Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy develop into all they're promised to be. The Yankees Will most likely sign Andy Pettite to a 3 or 4 year deal after this season. With that said let's look at the possible rotation for 2009 in order.

1.) C.C. Sabathia - Ofcourse he's the #1 starter (19+ wins)

2.) Chein Ming Wang - it's widely believed he would be a fantastic #2 to an arm like C.C. (19 wins)

3.) Phil Hughes - It's hard to tell who comes first between Joba and Hughes (15+ wins guessing, possible inning limitations )

4.) Joba Chamberlain - Same as stated above (15+ wins guessing, possible inning limitations)

5.) Andy Pettite - Solid starter. Another question mark where to place him. He'd be good anywhere 3-5 for sure though (16+ wins)

Ian Kennedy will serve as a great backup giving the Yanks depth. The younger guys may rotate to reduce too much play time too soon.

That is a pretty schweet line up you might say, eh?

won't work. New York only cares about one thing and that's the playoffs and world series. If they pick him up he will be a 150 million dollar regular season ace who folds in the postseason like he did this year in all his starts as well as when he was in the playoffs before. He's not clutch. He may look good on paper but that will be a bust for the yanks. It will be the pitching version of Giambi all over againsixringz1

I strongly disagree. For starters, comparing Sabathia to Giambi just does not work. CC is an ace, as he demonstrated by his amazing '07 season. Also, his experience in the postseason has been very minimal, it's far too early to make a judgment on his clutch performance.

The bottom line is the Yanks need more durable and quality pitching. Can you think of anyone that fits this description better than Sabathia, because I sure cannot. If you think there is a pitcher out there who would be better suited to become a Yankee in '09, I'd like to know.

Oh and the last time the Yanks signed a pitcher who had success in the postseason....Carl Pavano, 'nuff said.

won't work. New York only cares about one thing and that's the playoffs and world series. If they pick him up he will be a 150 million dollar regular season ace who folds in the postseason like he did this year in all his starts as well as when he was in the playoffs before. He's not clutch. He may look good on paper but that will be a bust for the yanks. It will be the pitching version of Giambi all over againsixringz1

Sabathia admitted his dexterity in the playoffs last season was not as good as he expected. It was the first time he went to the playoffs as a #1 starter. You really should never judge a player in the playoffs on one post season though. Derek Jeter in the 2007 ALDS was terrible, but who thinks of him as a terrible post season player? No one. Same thing with Wang.

[QUOTE="guitarman89"]

This is definitely possible, and perhaps likely. Like the TC stated, CC to the Yanks is like a match made in Heaven. The scenario will be absolutely perfect. The Bronx Bombers will get their true ace while staying within budget, and they won't have to give up any promising young arms in the process. CC will get his money and a chance to win the World Series each and every year.

A rotation with Chien Ming Wang (one can argue that he is already an ace), Philip Hughes (potential to be an ace, and I think he will definitely be contending for a Cy Young in 09), and Sabathia could be lethal. The Yanks could quite possibly obtain the best starting rotation in all of baseball with such an acquisition, and we all know that the offense is already potent...

DA_B0MB

Obtaining C.C. could spell dynasty if and only if Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy develop into all they're promised to be. The Yankees Will most likely sign Andy Pettite to a 3 or 4 year deal after this season. With that said let's look at the possible rotation for 2009 in order.

1.) C.C. Sabathia - Ofcourse he's the #1 starter (19+ wins)

2.) Chein Ming Wang - it's widely believed he would be a fantastic #2 to an arm like C.C. (19 wins)

3.) Phil Hughes - It's hard to tell who comes first between Joba and Hughes (15+ wins guessing, possible inning limitations )

4.) Joba Chamberlain - Same as stated above (15+ wins guessing, possible inning limitations)

5.) Andy Pettite - Solid starter. Another question mark where to place him. He'd be good anywhere 3-5 for sure though (16+ wins)

Ian Kennedy will serve as a great backup giving the Yanks depth. The younger guys may rotate to reduce too much play time too soon.

That is a pretty schweet line up you might say, eh?

If the Yanks starting rotation is this strong in '09, they may just keep Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen. I mean, you already have Sabathia, Wang, and Pettite. (you have to allow Pettite to start in the playoffs because of his experience) All three are worthy of starting games in the postseason. Then you have Philip Hughes. Philip would likely be the best #4 starter in the game, and could spot start in October if needed. Ian Kennedy would likely be a reliable #5, then there wouldn't really be a need for Joba in the rotation.

I just think that if the rotation is this strong, the Yankees could afford to subtract Joba from it and add more strength to the bullpen to make the team a bit more balanced. I don't know, Joba definitely has the potential to be an amazing starter, but I think that given this hypothetical rotation, Joba's dominance may be best suited setting up for Mariano Rivera, especially if the Yanks can't find anyone reliable to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. (Kyle Farnsworth ain't gonna cut it)

To go off topic a little b/c I read the TC comparing Hughes to Joba. Why is that? Hughes has been the blue chip pitching savior prospect of the yankees ever since he came out. He was ranked as the no.1 prospect in pro baseball by a lot of publications last year and was among the top 25 virtually his entire career. Joba was never within his talent level, ever. Yes he performed on par if not better early. But Hughes potential is a true ace with annual realistic Cy Young aspirations. Joba's is not.manningbowl135

Chamberlain wasn't ever placed in the same class as Hughes because he was drafted in '06 and only started his minor league career in '07. He worked his way up through the entire Yankees system in one season and immediately blew away everyone in the majors with his 100 mph fastball while posting a 0.38 ERA. Just for the record, at during the '07 season, his first as a pro, he was ranked as one of the Yankees top 5 prospects and one of the top 75 in all of baseball.

I certainly agree that Hughes will be more durable and more likely to compete for a Cy Young, but Joba has proven himself in his brief outing with the Yanks. He has shown that he has the potential to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the game while Hughes has proven very little so far. Joba, in my opinion, has earned the right to be compared to Hughes in terms of potential.

Hughes, on the other hand, has been pitching in the Yankees system since 2004.

[QUOTE="sixringz1"]won't work. New York only cares about one thing and that's the playoffs and world series. If they pick him up he will be a 150 million dollar regular season ace who folds in the postseason like he did this year in all his starts as well as when he was in the playoffs before. He's not clutch. He may look good on paper but that will be a bust for the yanks. It will be the pitching version of Giambi all over againguitarman89

I strongly disagree. For starters, comparing Sabathia to Giambi just does not work. CC is an ace, as he demonstrated by his amazing '07 season. Also, his experience in the postseason has been very minimal, it's far too early to make a judgment on his clutch performance.

The bottom line is the Yanks need more durable and quality pitching. Can you think of anyone that fits this description better than Sabathia, because I sure cannot. If you think there is a pitcher out there who would be better suited to become a Yankee in '09, I'd like to know.

Oh and the last time the Yanks signed a pitcher who had success in the postseason....Carl Pavano, 'nuff said.

i agree he will be the top pitcher on the market and will be solid for them, i just think he will be a bust when it counts. That may fly in CLeveland but if you go to the Yanks and do that you will find yourself booed right out of the league.

As for Pavano, that was what i like to refer to as the good ol "contract year" (Adrian Beltre anyone). The guy had ONE season above 500 in his eight years in the league before signing with the Yanks. Hell, even that year he was below 500 he just had a nice playoff run. When you have a lot of money like the yanks it's easy to be prisoneers of the moment and that's what that was. That guy had been a 4th starter at best his whole career but the yanks paid him cause of what they saw over a 2 week span.

[QUOTE="sixringz1"]won't work. New York only cares about one thing and that's the playoffs and world series. If they pick him up he will be a 150 million dollar regular season ace who folds in the postseason like he did this year in all his starts as well as when he was in the playoffs before. He's not clutch. He may look good on paper but that will be a bust for the yanks. It will be the pitching version of Giambi all over againDA_B0MB

Sabathia admitted his dexterity in the playoffs last season was not as good as he expected. It was the first time he went to the playoffs as a #1 starter. You really should never judge a player in the playoffs on one post season though. Derek Jeter in the 2007 ALDS was terrible, but who thinks of him as a terrible post season player? No one. Same thing with Wang.

Derek Jeter batted 333 in the ALDS in 97, which was a year after he batted 412 in the ALDS, .417 in the ALCS, and 250 in the World Series in 96 for a cumulative average of .360 for the entire playoffs. His FIRST playoff appearance in only his SECOND full year. He earned his stripes from the start. Last year was Sabathia's 7th year in the league. He should have been better prepared for the situation. If you are a big time pitcher and been around long enough you shouldn't get HAMMERED in 3 consecutive playoffs starts. Everybody has a bad game or even a series. But the rest of the Indians picked him up in the Yankees series. He had a chance to redeem himself against the sox and he pitched even worse. He was arguably the primary reason they lost that series. Your "Ace" can't lose 2 games in a playoff series and expect to win the series, it just won't happen.

And for your statement of him being in the playoffs as the #1, that just speaks to my point. You need more from someone of his ability. You can't be dominate in the regular season and just stink it up in the playoffs. That's the definition of not clutch. For all the yankee fans out there more power to you and i hope it works out, but in my opinion you either have what it takes or you don't. Every now and then there may be an exception (Bonds), i just don't think sabathia is one of them. We'll see

To go off topic a little b/c I read the TC comparing Hughes to Joba. Why is that? Hughes has been the blue chip pitching savior prospect of the yankees ever since he came out. He was ranked as the no.1 prospect in pro baseball by a lot of publications last year and was among the top 25 virtually his entire career. Joba was never within his talent level, ever. Yes he performed on par if not better early. But Hughes potential is a true ace with annual realistic Cy Young aspirations. Joba's is not.manningbowl135

I never said I thought Joba was better than hughes. I said in the rotation if both were starters it would be hard to determine right now because we haven't seen a full season preformance from either.

On a side note, very good point guitarman89. With the pitching rotation I listed you're probably right about joba being a MRP. He's insanely dominant there. If he fails as a starter he can always fall back on that.

I think we let go of CC when we re-signed that hack Hafner. CC will not be in a Tribe uniform past this year IMO.MikeE21286

Travis Hafner a hack? The same guy that is always at the top of the MLB in VORP?

[QUOTE="MikeE21286"]I think we let go of CC when we re-signed that hack Hafner. CC will not be in a Tribe uniform past this year IMO.JML897

Travis Hafner a hack? The same guy that is always at the top of the MLB in VORP?

Last year he flat out sucked.

[QUOTE="JML897"]

[QUOTE="MikeE21286"]I think we let go of CC when we re-signed that hack Hafner. CC will not be in a Tribe uniform past this year IMO.manningbowl135

Travis Hafner a hack? The same guy that is always at the top of the MLB in VORP?

Last year he flat out sucked.

I guess 2007 was a down year for him, but he still managed to get 100 RBIs.

I'd like to have CC, or at least an ace in the line-up or some one to help Wang and Hughes.

Ian Kennedy should be good as well but, I see more potential in Hughes.

You're missing some people....

Giambi

Mussina

Pavano

Abreu

Pettitte

....all FA next year. Thats closer to 80 Million off the yearly salary. $200 Mill to $120 Mill in one offseason. They'll surely spend some back though on a big time pitcher and probably push for Teixeira at first. Putting Shelley Duncan in right field to replace Abreu also.

I expect pushes for CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and K-Rod from the Yankees

[QUOTE="manningbowl135"][QUOTE="JML897"]

[QUOTE="MikeE21286"]I think we let go of CC when we re-signed that hack Hafner. CC will not be in a Tribe uniform past this year IMO.JML897

Travis Hafner a hack? The same guy that is always at the top of the MLB in VORP?

Last year he flat out sucked.

I guess 2007 was a down year for him, but he still managed to get 100 RBIs.

11-43 with a .186 BAA in the postseason is one of the top reasons the Indians didn't win the World Series last year.