C.C. Sabathia Mulling Opt-Out Decision

With Major League Baseball’s Championship Series in full swing and the Fall Classic quickly approaching, C.C. Sabathia is nearing his deadline to decide whether or not he’d like to trigger his opt-out clause.  Sabathia has until the third day after the 2011 World Series to elect to either finish out his remaining contract with the New York Yankees or opt-out of the deal and hit the free agent market.

When the Yankees signed Sabathia to his seven year $152 million deal following the 2008 season, they decided to include an opt-out clause.  This provision, just like no-trade clauses and written-in perks, was added to encourage Sabathia to come to New York.

Now, three years into his deal, Sabathia is mulling whether or not he’d like to press the opt-out button.  With the current weak class of free agent starting pitchers, Sabathia would almost assuredly find a better deal on the open market than the four years and $92 million he has remaining on his current contract.

Cliff Lee, Sabathia’s most recent comparison to the hit open market, signed a five year $120 million deal with the Phillies last December.  A year older than Sabathia at the time, Lee’s deal will pay him $1 million more per season than C.C. is set to make if he sticks with his current contract.  You have to figure that, with competition driving the price, Sabathia would be in line for a $25 million per season payday if he hits free agency.

Following their disappointing first round playoff exit, the Yankees find themselves in a tough situation.  Without Sabathia, their remaining rotation is pedestrian.  Even with C.C. and his 237.1 innings pitched and 3.00 ERA, New York’s starting staff finished in the middle of the pack in several pitching categories.

If you take away Sabathia, the best the Yankees have remaining appears to be 2011 rookie Ivan Nova.  Beyond Nova, New York has the inconsistent Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett.

Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon pitched fairly well this season considering they joined the Yankees on minor league deals.  But each pitcher is on the wrong side of 35 and no one knows how much they have left in the tank.

So, at this point, the Yankees clearly need Sabathia.  But does Sabathia need the Yankees?

In 2011, New York once again maintained MLB’s highest payroll.  In desperation mode when it comes to starting pitching, the Yankees will surely throw their economic weight around trying to re-sign Sabathia if he does indeed opt-out.

But the Yankees aren’t the only large market team looking for pitching help.  They’re not even the only team in their own division in need of arms.  The Boston Red Sox epic September collapse has been well documented, and the club is sure to try and make a splash this offseason to sure up their underperforming rotation.  What better move than to sign away your division rival’s ace?

But, with his deadline pending, it’s yet to be seen what Sabathia will do.  While he claims to enjoy pitching in New York, we’ll see if another love, that of the almighty dollar, ultimately wins out.

For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.