CC Sabathia Switches Agents
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
CC Sabathia has new representation in the name of Roc Nation.
CC’s former agency, Legacy, will continue to receive commission from his current contract, as tweeted by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Sabathia does have at least three years remaining under his current contract. A fourth year (2017) is possible -a vesting option – should CC adhere to three conditions (from Cot’s):
- does not end 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury;
- does not spend more than 45 days on the DL due to a left shoulder injury;
- does not make more than 6 relief appearances due to a left shoulder injury
For 2014 and 2015, CC will earn $23MM in each season. In 2016, his pay escalates to $25MM. The vesting option for 2017 would also be for $25MM, but there is a $5MM buyout.
The appeal of leaving Legacy for Roc Nation is the visibility of Jay-Z. Sabathia may now be deemed more marketable. The win for Roc Nation is that they add another high-profile player to its roll.
Sabathia is coming off his worst season since his MLB debut for the Cleveland Indians back in 2001. His ERA+ of 85 is the only season in which that stat was below 100. He also set a career high in ERA (4.78), WHIP (1.370), and HR/9 (1.19).
But CC is durable. In each of the last seven seasons, he has pitched over 200 innings with 211 hurled in 2013. In his 13 year career, he has failed to make 30+ starts in a season only twice (2006 and 2012). He managed 28 starts in both of those seasons.
Just wondering how this move will play out in the Yankees front office.