It’s been reported here that CC Sabathia won’t be making a decision until after Thanksgiving, but Hal Steinbrenner is now stepping up the pressure.
The new Boss said on Thursday, “We've made him an offer. It's not going to be there forever.”
There have been no reports of competitive bids for Sabathia. The Yankees’ record-breaking offer is still the only one on the table, but Greg Genske, Sabathia’s agent, is clearly trying to get some other suitors to throw their hats in the ring to push the bidding.
CC made his preference known for the west coast and for the National League, but if no other team can compete with the Yankees’ offer, Sabathia’s preference will not factor.
The Yankees are making plays for AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe as well, but CC Sabathia is the number one free agent target for the Yankees.
Andy Pettitte has made his wishes to pitch for the Yankees in 2009 clear and has indicated that he would accept a pay cut. With Mike Mussina retired, signing Pettitte must just be a matter of details.
Photo: Hal Steinbrenner, the newly-approved control person of the New York Yankees baseball team speaks at a press conference following a meeting at corporate headquarters, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, in New York. Baseball owners unanimously approved the change in control during a meeting Thursday. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Comments
...and "Tempis Fuget"....
(;
heh....
No kidding, Phil. It's the start of a brand new era - stadium, ownership, some new stars. It's gonna be fun though :)
Yes Pete,
I am excited about the upcoming season too - I think the new stadium is going to energize everyone, and quickly be inhabited by the old ghosts and the aura will be palpable. How many days until pitchers and catchers reporting? (:
Oh, that's right - the stupid tournament "World Baseball Classic" (I thought something had to earn the name classic - unless you count "classicly dumb") is this spring again - I really really (REALLY) do not like it - if they MUST do this it ought to be after the World Series - Selig is a pea brain. Just wait until some superstar gets seriously injured and then ask his owner if he likes the promotion. I definately don't want Mo out there on March 9th going 2 innings in an elimation game and not being the same the rest of the year. Who thinks of this nonsense - oh, wait I mentioned Bud already didn't I...
No reports of competitive bids?
I guess I knew the Brewers were a small time organization but don't think they deserve to be COMPLETELY overlooked.
This is an organization that just recently handed out it's biggest contract in team history to slugger Ryan Braun (45 million). So to not call $100 million competitive is kind of a low blow.
And to imply Sabathia will take money over his preference of NL or West Coast baseball is just the kind of money driven egotism we've all come to expect. I know it may be tough to spell Milwaukee, but show the underdog a little respect once and a while.
Sorry Mitch, the Brewers' offer does not qualify in my book as competitive. It's crazy to think $100 million isn't in the right ballpark, but when the Yankees are breaking salary records right out the gate, that's the way it goes.
Maybe Sabathia will resist the temptation of the higher salary, the bright lights of a perennial contender, and the huge endorsement opportunities in an NY uniform, but it's not likely. The MLBPA will have something to say about that too. It may be egotism but it's also recent history.
I wish you luck in the NL Mitch. You had a good year in 2008, much better than the Yanks. The club has really come a long way in the past few years and I think they'll stay competitive in the NL Central. I've got respect for your club and I think you have a great guy in Willie Randolph on your coaching staff. But Mitch, when your GM comes out and says the Yankees are overbidding you know they're in a different stratosphere.
Even as a Milwaukee fan I admit that Britney Spears has a better chance of being a successful pop singer again than the Brewers resigning Sabathia. I'm aware of the insurmountable odds stacked up against the BrewCrew.
However, I'm more focused on personal preferences of Sabathia as compared to the money. While I don't expected even the Angels to compete with the money the Yanks are dealing out, I do think they have a significant advantage. Even if that means CC takes a cut of $10 million over the span of 6 years.
Maybe I'm a simple man, Pete, but the concept of family and comfort doesn't have a price. Maybe in the end the Player's Association will guilt CC into making a decision he doesn't want to make, or maybe he truly wants to wear the pinstripes next year, and while I've never been one to cheer against a team (even the Yankees and Red Sox) I find myself hoping, wishing, that it's not the money that pulls CC to New York.
It's truly just refreshing to see a player make decisions that don't involve the green.
Even as a Milwaukee fan I admit that Britney Spears has a better chance of being a successful pop singer again than the Brewers resigning Sabathia. I'm aware of the insurmountable odds stacked up against the BrewCrew.
However, I'm more focused on personal preferences of Sabathia as compared to the money. While I don't expected even the Angels to compete with the money the Yanks are dealing out, I do think they have a significant advantage. Even if that means CC takes a cut of $10 million over the span of 6 years.
Maybe I'm a simple man, Pete, but the concept of family and comfort doesn't have a price. Maybe in the end the Player's Association will guilt CC into making a decision he doesn't want to make, or maybe he truly wants to wear the pinstripes next year, and while I've never been one to cheer against a team (even the Yankees and Red Sox) I find myself hoping, wishing, that it's not the money that pulls CC to New York.
It's truly just refreshing to see a player make decisions that don't involve the green.
Mitch, I absolutely love a good Britney Spears/CC Sabathia analogy, that's terrific.
It's tough to gauge just how important it is to CC to be on the west coast or in the NL. No one really knows that but CC. A "preference" could mean a lot of things.
I agree that I love it when a guy turns down money because of his principles. Mussina is a great example. The man retired because he was ready to spend time with his family. He left a minimum of $10 million on the table and that is awesome.
CC is a young guy, he could take a huge contract for 6 years to win a couple championships in NYC and then head back to his family...or maybe the geography is the number one priority for him right now. It's just impossible to tell. Maybe his family wants an adventure in the big city for a few years!
But I agree, I want CC but I love seeing athletes follow their hearts - and it happens far too rarely.
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