New York Yankees: Where Will CC Sabathia Pitch in 2018?

Baltimore Orioles

Although the Baltimore Orioles are less than ideal for Sabathia, they need the pitching just as badly as he needs a job. I do believe that in spite of pitching well in 2017, Sabathia comes with a bargain price tag next year. He’s not a $20 million per year pitcher anymore. Sabathia will instead need to settle for something close to two years and $30 million at best.

The Orioles aren’t going anywhere next year without a better rotation. Their star pupil Dylan Bundy ended the year poorly with an ERA eventually finishing at 4.24. Move Sabathia’s statistics to Baltimore and he would have led the team in wins and owned the lowest ERA.

Sabathia does not completely fix the Orioles’ pitching needs. He does, however, give them one arm they know can survive in the tough American League East. Signing Sabathia only works if the Orioles are willing to add at least one other arm either via free agency or trade. It’s a complete overhaul they need. Sabathia is just one support system for it.

The downside to Sabathia is that the 2017 performance may have been somewhat flukish. Per Sabathia’s recent track record, it’s not something he can repeat. That still doesn’t mean the Orioles should skip out on signing him. Rather than go for broke and sign Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, or any other big name free agent pitcher, the Orioles may find a bargain with Sabathia.