C.C. Sabathia is a hell of a pitcher. The Yankees are in dire need of help at the top of their rotation. As such, they have rewarded C.C. with the largest contract in the history of pitchers, $161 million over 7 years. That said, Sabathia is not without question marks. He is pushing 300 pounds, making him among the heaviest players in the history of baseball. He's only 28 years old, but he has averaged nearly 210 innings per year since 2001. That's an ungodly workload and ensures that there's considerable wear and tear on his arm. He's pitched over 500 innings the last 2 years. That alone makes him virtually unsignable for many teams as even the most durable pitchers (Kevin Brown, Pedro Martinez, etc.) break down after that kind of abuse. In addition, he has a lifetime 7.92 ERA in the postseason, and a history of poor performance against the Yankees chief rivals: the Boston Red Sox.
Nonetheless, the Yankees were under a ton of pressure to get this deal done. They are still smarting from losing Johan Santana (still the absolute best pitcher in the game) to the crosstown Mets. They suffered through a poor year in 2008 due to an aging lineup and lack of depth on the pitching staff, finishing far behind both Boston and Tampa Bay. They absolutely must contend in their first year in the New Yankee Stadium.
Quite frankly, C.C. Sabathia is a big risk to be rewarded with such a large contract; however, for the Yankees he is a necessary addition. He is likely to be placed on a fitness and conditioning program immediately and his workload will be drastically reduced to protect the huge investment. I am confident that the Yankees will come to rue this monster deal as it winds down, but in 2008 they simply had to pull the trigger.
Still, the Yankees might not even be the best team in their own city as the acquisition of elite relief pitchers J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez will make the Mets extremely dangerous. Look out for the Mets in 2009! And if Boston locks up Mark Teixeira? Yikes!
2 comments:
I agree with the Suite Spot on CC's weight, and massive workload having to catch up with him sooner than later. However, dollars aside, I like the deal for the Yanks. They needed pitching and they went out there and picked up the best available starter without giving up any prospects.
As the Suite Spot pointed out, even great workhorse pitchers, like Pedro Martinez have to break down eventually right??? Maybe, but consider the following...
Pedro Martinez (who turned 28 in 1999) pitched 1,367 innings from 1999-2005 or about 195/season and only had a 3+ERA once.
Prior to 1999, in 6 seasons, Pedro had pitched 1138 innings.
At Sabathia's current age of 28, in his last 6 seasons he pitched 1269 innings, which isn't too far off Pedro's total.
Basically I'm saying, quality of pitcher aside: Pedro, despite the CC type workload and a much smaller frame, had 6 healthy and very effective seasons from age 28 on.
Another little tasty morsel for ya:
David Wells (who's body type has been compared to CC's) pitched 3,504 innings after his 28th birthday.
So ya, there's risk there, and certainly CC has a lot to prove, but can it be done? ABSOLUTELY
Good move Yanks
I'd be remiss to not mention that adding Teix to the Boston lineup is scary, but the Sox still have plenty of question marks.
JD Drew - still hasn't made it through a whole season without a trip to the DL
Ortiz - No 30+HR's for first time in last 6 seasons, chink in the armor?
Papelbon - 9.95 ERA against the Yanks last season, and who is setting him up again?
Buchholz - 0-7 in 10 starts this season, is this really the guy who threw a no-hitter once upon a time?
Masterson - Were his 9 starts and 88 total innings in 2008 the real deal or is it the opposition just hasn't figured him out yet?
Ellsbury - Is the 25yr old finally ready to be a star or his he destined for mediocrity?
Varitek - you're kidding right? When the Tigers targeted Laird (Texas' former backup catcher), because they thought he was better than Boston's starter, Tek...ummm Houston, we have a problem.
At least Sox fans can count on Tim Wakefield's 30+ starts and his 6.67 ERA over the last 3 seasons vs the Yanks.
As for the Mets, great move picking up 2 premier closers, (would have liked the Yanks to grab one of em, hey what's $30mm over 3yrs to the Yanks?), and still, the Mets coming up short of even the playoffs the last 2 seasons despite all the paper talent in the world... fluke or something bigger???
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