The CC Watch... Latest: Who knows?

[mtrebs]

I never thought a player could only play for the Brewers for half a season (so far) and become such a fan favorite. I can honestly say that I am a C.C. Sabathia fan and will be even when he leaves the Brewers...unless he happens to go to one team. I'll let you figure out what team. If he goes to that team there's no way that I could ever root for him. If he goes anywhere else I will continue to root for him unless it would negatively affect the Brewers.

[Bert55]

Possibly it has been said before...doesn't it seem a bit crazy that the country/world is suffering through economic crisis and the New York Yankees (the posterchild for spoiled rotten little rich kid owner) spends a crazy amount on a pitcher. Don't get me wrong. Sabbathia is an outstanding pitcher, but isn't 150MM just insane.

 

People are struggling to make ends meet and the Yankees are throwing around money.

 

Maybe I am wrong.

[Invader3K]

Even the mighty Yankees haven't sold out all the luxury boxes in their new stadium yet (heard that on the radio today). The economic problems are affecting New York, too. Still doesn't mean they won't spend money like drunken sailors, though.

[endaround]

The Yankees can pay Sabathia with Pavano's and Pettite's salary slots and they still have Giambi and Mussina money.

[trwi7]

The Yankees can pay Sabathia with Pavano's and Pettite's salary slots and they still have Giambi and Mussina money.

And Abreu's money. It's insane how much money they have coming off the books.

[dogs with bees in their mo]

Buster Olney says the Yankees opening offer is around $140 million. So long, CC.

[Oldcity]

At least it's happening quickly. Plenty of time to find replacements.

[fondybrewfan]

Buster Olney says the Yankees opening offer is around $140 million. So long, CC.

For 6 years.

 

They have the Brewers by only $3M on the yearly salary but obviously the extra year is the kicker. I'll hold out hope that the Brewers up their offer to 5/110 and CC is happy enough with the Crew to accept 5 years instead of 6.

[Invader3K]

I don't know. The writing on the wall seems to be that he'll be a Yankee at this point. I still hold onto a glimmer of hope, but even if the Brewers do what fondy suggests and up their ante a bit, 30 million is still 30 million. Of course he's probably being pressured by the player's union, too. Edit: To add to that...you never know. Mark Attanasio seemed pretty enamored with CC. He may just say "Let's go all in" and match the Yankees offer. I kind of doubt it, but stranger things have happened in sports.

[AJAY]

What difference is that extra money going to make in Sabathia's life? He will be able to afford anything he wants anyway, so what effect will it really have? I still think if he goes to the Yankees, he won't be anything special because New York has hundreds of celebrities who are eventually forgotten as soon as the next new expensive flavor-of-the-month comes along. Even if he gets a ring with New York, everyone knows that it will be completely hollow and meaningless because of their financial advantage.

 

I still think Sabathia can be more special and more of an icon in a place like Milwaukee. Players like him just seem to mean more in places like this. I am probably dreaming but I really hope that he sees what a special thing he had going here and I hope that counts for something.

 

I still feel bad for the Indians fans too. This must be killing them.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Stinks, but he's gone. No way you can turn down that kind of money.

[logan82]

I have changed my mind. I don't want CC back in even a 4 year deal. 4/$100M was the max deal I would originally be happy with, but I would prefer 4 year deals for players entering their 2nd year of arbitration. A deal that buys out 2 years of free agency. That is the only way to get players for decent contracts that you can trade later.

[LouisEly]

According to Fox Sports, "sources indicate that he almost certainly will not accept it":

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8793240?MSNHPHMA

 

Take it for what it's worth.

[kramnoj]

Even if he gets a ring with New York, everyone knows that it will be completely hollow and meaningless because of their financial advantage.

 

You make good points with the rest of your post, but I can pretty much guarantee this doesn't apply to the people who matter: the players and their fans.

 

This offer from the Yankees shouldn't surprise anyone. It doesn't change anything. If CC wants the most money, he'll be a Yankee. If CC values something else (being closer to home, being with a smaller market that can still be competitive, etc) he'll make whatever choice is most important to him. I think it's a good thing that CC spoke with Jeter. It shows that he has concerns about playing in the NY market.

[BCZF]

Wow.. Get your kids into pitching, is all I'm gonna say..

[craigharmann]

Wow.. Get your kids into pitching, is all I'm gonna say..

And teach your kids to throw left-handed.

[MillerParkSouth]

as much as I want CC back, I honestly believe it might be best for the franchise if he goes elsewhere. I'd hate to see what happens if we sign him and he gets hurt or something. The Yankees may be able to absorb that blow, but we surely couldn't. I just can't help but think back to A-Rod in Texas. Great player, but they didn't have the money to surround him with enough talent to win. I just hope that wherever CC goes, if he comes to pitch in Miller Park that people don't boo him.

[Team Canada]

Not that I expect him back, but can you imagine how big of a folk hero CC becomes if he spurns the Yankees to be in Milwaukee? It would be unreal.

 

I think right now I'm assuming one of the West Coast teams will offer him something less than NY and he'll take it. But if that 6th year isn't that important to him (if he doesn't completely collapse he'll still get another decent contract), all bets are off, because we aren't worlds apart.

[homer]

I still think he's going out west. Dodgers or Angels.

[wildbobu]

there is just no way the brewer fans would ever boo CC after what he did for the organization. i for one figured he would not be back from the moment we traded for him. but after seeing what he did for the team i bought a CC jersey and promised myself if and when he comes back to pitch in Milwaukee i will go and give him a standing ovation. then hope he loses

[Baldkin]

there is just no way the brewer fans would ever boo CC after what he did for the organization.

I dunno. Lyle Overbay got booed. Carlos Lee gets booed -- for taking a contract that was about twice as much as the Brewers offered him.

 

Today's fans are an uninformed fickle bunch overall.

[Crew2323]

According to Fox Sports, "sources indicate that he almost certainly will not accept it":

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8793240?MSNHPHMA

 

Take it for what it's worth.

I found that interesting as well. I wonder though...will he certainly not accept it because he is holding out for more? Or will he certainly not accept it because he really doesn't want to play for New York, as Gammons reported? I'm not sure which one it is, but from the little I've heard about Sabathia, I'm wondering if it isn't the latter.

[Yeti73]

Is there a reason that San Fran isn't in the equation?I think he'd fit in well there. Sure they have Zito's contract, but I still see CC in Cali, but wonder why SF hasn't been raised like LA. I think he'll take a discount to play in the NL.

[Mr Southpaw]

If I were Melvin, I would do this...5 year 122.5 million

 

Year 1 20 Million

Year 2 22.5 Million

Year 3 25 Million

Year 4 25 Million with a player and team option with a 5 million team buyout. If CC is still hot, he can walk and make a bundle more. If he burns out it only cost 5 million to get out of a bad contract.

Year 5 30 Million with a 10 million team buyout.

 

CC is will get at least 72.5 million if he burns out at three years and 102.5 million if he burns out at four years. I know it is a lot of money for a small market, but it sure helps our pitching (as long as he does not get hurt in year 1-3) until some of the youngsters make it to the majors. Feel free to move the numbers around.

[logan82]

That deal looks good for the Brewers, but I don't know why he would sign a contract for less money where he takes on all the risk.