The Rental Car
Well now that the Yankees are officially planning for 2009 we can talk about their supposed #1 target in the offseason CC Sabathia. Sabathia is only 27, lefthanded and one of the best pitchers in baseball. Unlike Santana last year, the Yankees can have him this offseason if they open their wallets wide enough. (I am not paying much attention to the stories that he wants to play in California right now because I think that is just round 1 of the negotiations.)
The problem with Sabathia is he was traded to the Brewers this season and Millwaukee has used him the same way most folks use a rental car. Translation, they are beating the heck out of him. Today they will trot him out on three-days rest and they will presumeably do so again Sunday if the game matters. Since coming to the Brewers he has made 15 starts and thrown less than 100 pitches three times (96, 97 and 99).
You can't blame the Brewers, they traded for him with no intention of signing him to a long term deal so they are maximizing their use of him. And, you have to give some props to Sabathia who seems to care about nothing more than pitching his current team into the playoffs- an admirable position in a "me first" world. But, for teams thinking of signing him to a deal this offseason the warning lights should be flashing. Sabathia may turn out to be fine, but that is a big risk to take when you are investing over $100 million into a player. Sabathia could be a savior, but there is also a chance he could come into town with a tired arm and the Yankees need to move cautiously here.
Comments
Sabathia is enormous, a truly gigantic human being. If any pitcher can handle such a heavy workload, it would be Sabathia. Also, his stuff was still fantastic yesterday, I don't see any signs of him being worn down just yet. It wasn't that long ago that teams used 4 man rotations and this workload was normal, I think CC can handle it for a week or two and be just fine. I would be more concerned about CC controlling his size in the coming years than how these extra innings will effect him.
Hughes looked good last night, I'm glad that he at least went out on a good note. Maybe next year we'll see some more constancy from him.
I imagine that all our expiring contracts and the teams under-performance this year will make this winter one of the busiest the Yankees have had in years. I just really hope its Cashman calling the shots on those moves and not Hank, or this team could turn into a joke.
Posted by: ian | September 25, 2008 10:41 AM |
CC is a 300 pounder. Not sure how well that translates into longevity. And, he does like to eat ...
Still think they'll be looking at Sheets and/or Burnett, possibly instead of CC if the "CC says I like California" rumors hold true.
Hughes DID look good - good for him and the team. Very nasty curveball as his strikeout pitch.
I can't believe both Moose and Andy return - but I've been wrong before. Wang, Moose, Andy, Hughes, Aceves (?) and a free agent? Too many arms, esp. if they want Joba to start again at some point. I would say good bye to Andy and wish him well. Moose seems to have made the transition in his game. That's honestly not what I was thinking back in April and May.
Wang, FA, Mussina, Hughes/Joba, Aceves (if he shows well again tonight). That would be my current guess considering the innings limits for Hughes and Joba in that they they'll probably try to blend the two of them into some sort of combo starter.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 26, 2008 07:15 AM
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I think Phil Coke has to be in the conversation as a starter. I think they will probably have an open competition for at least two spots next spring.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 26, 2008 10:35 AM
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