Yanks Reel In The Big Fish

Well, it sounds official. CC Sabathia is a Yankee. It's been reported and confirmed by multiple outlets (Buster Olney and Ken Rosenthal). So it sounds legit. I'm always a little skeptical when these things come out because sometimes it ends up being totally false. But I think this is a done deal.

The deal is being reported as 7 years for about $160 million. It sounds like the Yanks ponied up another year. Hey, whatever gets it done. the Yankees definitely went to great lengths to get this done. Cashman flew to CC's home last night for a 3rd meeting. As soon as that news broke you knew this was money in the bank. This is a huge signing for the Yankees. Kudos to Brian Cashman and the crew for getting it done. Well done boys. Well done.

The rotation now sits at Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, and Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees are still looking to pick up another SP, as they should be. What happened last year can't happen this year. You can't bank on Hughes/Kennedy to be in the rotation. I think it would be wise to leave them in the minors and let them fill in if a spot opens up due to injury or whatever. I'd be OK with Hughes being the 5th starter, but i think one more year of seasoning would do Philly-boy some good. So it looks like the Yankees need 2 starters. With Hughes waiting in the wings, I wouldn't commit to a long-term deal for one of the starters. They reportedly offered Ben Sheets a 2 year deal. If they bring back Andy Pettitte , that's a 1 year deal tops. I hope the Yanks don't get overzealous and go out and sign Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett. They are without a doubt going to try and land one of them and it will be for 4 or 5 years. That pretty much locks up 4 spots in the rotation for the next 4 to 5 years. If Hughes really is untouchable, which he better be, they can't commit that 5th spot to a long term deal.

I would rather see the Yankees go cheaper and stay away from Lowe and Burnett and maybe go after Oliver Perez. I also think they should strongly consider going hard after Mark Teixeira. I know pitching is the priority, which it should be, but they need to look ahead at the offense. The Yanks will likely lose 1/3 of their lineup next year, assuming they let Nady, Damon, and Matsui all walk. Posada won't be around much longer and I don't think Jeter will be either. It makes a lot of sense to sign a guy like Mark Teixeira. Can you imagine locking up Teixeira and having he and A-Rod together in the lineup for the next 7-10 years? I know Cashman's plan is to shore up the payroll, but it might not be a bad idea to pay some extra scratch this year and make up for it next year when the other contracts expire. Cash is a pretty wise guy so I'm sure it's crossed his mind, right?

Now that CC has signed, the other dominoes should start to fall. I wouldn't be surprised if we see another move from the Yankees before the winter meetings end. The latest rumor is that the Yanks are closing in on Derek Lowe, offering him a 4 year deal for $66 million. Ugh.

I love this time of year.

Peace, love and Pinstripes,

J-Boogie