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CC Gets An Opt-Out Clause
So it looks like CC Sabathia has gotten a sweetheart deal from the Yanks. Forget about the 7 years, $161 million part of the deal. The important thing is the opt-out clause.If CC doesn't like the Big Apple he can walk after three years. This according to Tim Brown and Gordon Estes (hat tip, MLBTR). The first three years of the deal are reportedly worth $69 million.
Let's take a closer look at what this means, because it may not be good news for Yankee fans.
This thing could go several ways.
- CC loves NY, pitches great and decides he'll stick around for the final 4 years of his contract for $92M.
- CC gets hurt, clutches that contract like a life vest and rides out 7 years of "rehab."
- CC dominates, then realizes that at 31 years-old he can either play out the remaining 4 years for $92M or become a free agent again and land an even bigger deal from someone else.
Still, Brian Cashman did what he had to do to get his guy. This plan has been in place since this time last year when the Yanks passed on Johan Santana. They were patient, they waited out the season and they got their ace without giving up any of their prospects for him. I love the move, if not the clause.
I think this will be a three-year deal either way. The only reason for Sabathia to stay the remaining four years will be if he gets injured. He'll probably renegotiate after three years if he pitches well (and wants to stay in New York).
I agree. He wanted the clause for a reason.
Like the blog, followed Brian over here. Keep up the good work guys!
Here's to the Yanks in '09
"Tom Haudricourt also learned from Melvin that Sabathia wanted an opt-out clause no matter where he signed, and the Brewers were prepared to offer one."
Sounds like we were going to offer one no matter what, smart for CC. I think that this insures that in year 3 he's going to pitch his ass off again.
I also like that if he opts out, we had him through his prime years. He won't play the Pavano card now even more because he's potentially pitching for a new contract in 3 years.
Don't love the opt out, but I love that we have the player. Let's get this done Cashman:
Lineup:
LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
DH Manny Ramirez (3 yr/65 M)
3B Alex Rodriguez
RF Xavier Nady
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
1B Nick Swisher
CF Brett Gardner
Bench:
OF Melky Cabrera
IF Nick Punto
OF Justin Christian
C Jose Molina
Rotation:
SP CC Sabathia
SP Ching Meng Wang
SP Ben Sheets/Derek Lowe/AJ Burnett (preferred in that order)
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Joba Chamberlain
In AAA for injury or bad performance: Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy
Bullpen
CL Mariano Rivera
SU Damaso Marte
SU Brian Bruney
RP Jose Veras
RP Phil Coke
RP Jon Albaladejo
LR Al Aceves
Swisher starting at first really irks me, even if they did sign Manny.
I'm not sure anyone's going to be willing to give a thirty-one year old pitcher a deal worth 100 mil . . . even if he doesn't get injured before the opt out.
Like the blog, also followed brian here. But the big blue box in the middle of the posts is really annoying and completely distracting. can't you move it to the side? if it needs to stay, can you at least shrink it down a bit? also, it would be nice to see a bit more of the post before the jump, like you used to have it on depressedfan.
There was talk about Burnett getting close to $100M for 5 years earlier this week, he's 32.
i'll believe burnett getting 100 mil when it happens. . . but you're right, it does seem highly poosible that CC would command 100 mil or more at age 31, if he opts out after three stellar seasons. But I don't think he's going to get that deal from anyone other than the yanks - they were the only ones willing to give it to him at age 28, after all. and if he deserves it, i don't have a problem with it, and i don't think the yanks will either.
Yeah, the only way this deal really backfires on the Yanks is if he gets hurt and they wind up paying out the full deal without him on the mound. If he opts out, that means we got 3 kick ass seasons out of him, and we can extend.
Oh great.
Now we can officially start worrying about both SS's postseason record and his possible A-Rod like Opt-Out drama.
Don't buy into the drama. Look at it this way, unless CC sucks or gets hurt, he's going to opt out. At that point we can overbid for him again, or let him walk and take our compensation picks. This is a three-year deal, and that's the best-case scenario.
You're right Brian, the club assumes all the risk in this deal. Still, you signed yourself a beast on the mound. If he's able to throw 200 innings for three or more years I'd say that he's worth it.
What was the deal anyway with him wanting to sign with someone else for a lesser offer? Was he or his wife worried about living in NY, or the fans?
One things for certain... wherever he signed, he was going to have all eyes on him. I didn't think NY fans were any tougher than anywhere else. Any fans in any city were going to expect excellence at his price tag.