San Francisco Giants more than spectators in Sabathia bidding

The Giants may be entering the Sabathia bidding war.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash, file)

Louder rumblings are being heard about the San Francisco Giants getting ready to make free-agent C.C. Sabathia an offer.

The word is that a 6-year, $100 million deal is the lure the Giants will be leaving out for the Bay Area native. Most see the thought of playing near his hometown of Vallejo, Calif. as incentive to play in San Francisco-even if it's for less money.

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury has sources who reveal the opposite. His source revealed the Giants are not making any offers, but may be still in the hunt.

Sabathia is not expected to sign until Thanksgiving, as offers are slowly trickling in. The Yankees offered the pitcher $140 million for six years, while the Brewers offered $100 for five years.

The left-handed pitcher went 17-10 in 2008, with a 2.70 ERA. He pitched 253 innings and threw 10 complete games, five shut outs, while striking out 251. While a dominating pitcher, Sabathia can also swing the bat. In his 51 at-bats, he had a .235 BA, hitting one HR, two doubles, two HR, and seven RBI.

If Sabathia is signed, does this mean Matt Cain is no longer untouchable? Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's take a step back, hold off on the big dreams, and watch the Sabathia drama develop.

In other Bay Area baseball news:

•  The A's signed right-handed reliever Chris Schroder. The veteran pitcher pitched for the Nationals from 2006-2008.
• Former A's bench coach  Don Wakamatsu has been named Seattle Mariners manager. He is the first Japanese-American to hold the manager position in MLB.