Chuck Johnson: Slow Down on CC
By Mike Silva ~ November 17th, 2008. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Chuck Johnson, author of the infamous Jorge Posada to RF article, has followed up with another Yankees piece at Dugout Central.
Johnson is concerned with the Yankees offering CC Sabathia a reported $140 million dollars right out of the gate. He points out that Sabathia is not Johan Santana (statistically closer to John Tudor at Baseball Reference), and cites concerns with his weight. Johnson also points out that signing Sabathia, and other secondary free agent starters, could very well stunt the growth of Phil Hughes and other young pitchers.
I agree and disagree with Johnson. I believe the Yankees must sign Sabathia to anchor their rotation. His presence will help Joba Chamberlain grow into the “ace” that everyone believes is inevitable. Where I agree with Chuck is with the signing of a secondary pitcher(s) (Lowe, Burnett) instead of giving Hughes or Aceves a shot at the fifth spot. As far as the money, none of the $140 is being drafted out of my account so it goes under the “who cares” category. I will say offering CC the maximum contract when the only other reported offer is $100 million from Milwaukee is a curious negotiating strategy. With that said, I was once offered list price for my condo, so bad negotiation is not unprecedented.
The Yankees will be banking on CC Sabathia just like the Mets did on Johan Santana. The Mets came up aces with their decision, only time will tell if Chuck Johnson’s concerns will come to fruition.
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November 17th, 2008 at 8:41 am
If we want CC (a MUSST HAVEE) then we have to give him much more $$$ than other teams. Otherwise, he’ll go to the West Coast and/or NL, his preferences. That’s the bottom line.
Plus, he’s a better bet than Santana considering he’s younger and we only had to give up $$$ and no talent. Also consider all the innings he pitches which takes the pressure off the bullpen (which is a huge plus given the lack of innings from other yankee starters).
I’d estimate that when all is said and done, they end up gettting him for 6yrs $155mil.