Now that C.C. Sabathia has tabled contract negotiations until after the end of the season, the sports populace of Cleveland has already started to write farewell stories for the big left-hander. Fans have started to put on the unrequited lover hat, or they have started to call the front office and ownership cheap. It’s either one or the other. However, I like to look at things differently, and I say the situation is not desperate as of yet. October is a long ways away.
Once again, I will say that Sabathia future in Cleveland is not tied to money; it will be the number of guaranteed years on the contract. If the lefty and his agents want six or seven years, he will not be wearing an Indians uniform in 2009. A commitment of less than that, and there is a decent possibility the ’07 Cy Young Award winner will continue to pitch at Progressive Field on a regular basis. By announcing he would not talk contract this year, the pressure increases on Sabathia.
Unless C.C. wins 20 games or wins his second consecutive Cy Young Award, his value will not be higher than it is right now. Let’s say he has a solid ’08 season, going 17-10 with a 3.50 ERA, pitching another 200 innings. It’s a fine season, one that would help the Tribe in their quest to get to the post-season. However, it doesn’t put him in Johan Santana’s class. You see, Santana is regarded as the best pitcher in the game, even with his 15-13 record in 2007. I find it difficult to believe teams will offer Sabathia the same kind of contract the Mets gave the former Twin ace.
However, what if C.C. has a season similar to 2005, when his ERA was around 4.00? At that point, he is more like Jake Peavy and Carlos Zambrano, the two guys the Indians patterned the contract offer after. It would definitely control what the big man would get on the open market. The 2008 season could also show another mediocre year from Barry Zito, who received a seven-year contract from the Giants after the ’06 season. An average year by Zito just might discourage other teams from going that long on a deal.
One thing I do not understand is Sabathia’s stance of not negotiating in spring training. I realize he is preparing for the 2008 season, but he really doesn’t spend 20 hours a day doing that. Also, his agents would be doing most of the work, and they can spend an hour a day updating the hurler on the negotiations. However, maybe he is that focused on his work that he doesn’t want to deal with it in the spring. It just seems odd to me.
Remember Travis Hafner’s struggles last season led him to re-open talks with the Indians at the all-star break. Hafner and Sabathia are represented by the same agency, so the same thing could happen again. I do believe that the Tribe lefty will not get as much as Santana because the latter is viewed as the best pitcher of this era. C.C. will have to take less. If he’s open to four or five years, and he wants to stay, I think the Dolans and Mark Shapiro will work something out. If not, don’t let his impending free agency stop you from the enjoyment of watching him pitch. It’s just the way it is these days.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 