Yankees Editorial: Expectations For CC Sabathia In 2015

New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia has been undergoing various weight changes through the past 3 years. Going all the way down to 275 pounds last season, now in 2015 it seems he has realized his weight was one of his best weapons. After rehabbing his knee most of last season CC put on 20 pounds, and put on another 10 this winter. He came to Tampa weighing 305 and felt much better about the upcoming season.

Many believed the reason CC was struggling besides the injuries, was because of his weight loss. His height and weight have always been one of his most astounding traits, having the body type of a defensive lineman for a pitcher. In reference to his weight fluctuation he said “I think I was just trying to find a good weight to play at“, that coming after his first outdoor bullpen session of camp. He then went on to talk about his need to find better control, mentioning he’s been talking to Andy Pettitte on how he showed expertise with his pitches late in his career.

“I think last year I came in a little too light. By the end of the year last year, I felt good in where I was at.”

It seems since 2012 the Yankees have been counting on CC to make the necessary changes to give them the work load he’s expected to. While injuries haven’t helped his situation, it could’ve been that weight was the main source of problems all along. Now he’s back up to 300, there shouldn’t be any problems this season as far as him being comfortable. So what are the expectations for CC Sabathia in the 2015 year, and how can he get there.

CC’s fastball isn’t near what it used to be, this isnt from the weight loss, but simply his age.

An example of this with a current player is Justin Verlander whose velocity has reduced almost as much as CC’s, and wasn’t the best he could be the last 2 seasons. With that said, for spring training the top priority for CC is soaking up any advice from Andy before the regular season starts.

Placement will be everything and hopefully having the strength he’s used to having will help. In his bullpen session Saturday he threw fastballs and changeups, and he felt very positive on keeping his changeup at a near lethal level. The fastball is what it is, so he just needs to focus on making his other pitches as effective they could be.

This season the Yankees are going to need anchors in their rotation with all the uncertainty that surrounds the group. CC is heading into the season healthy and with a mutual agreement between his body and his pitching style. We have to look past the chance of injury when speculating on expectations. The most important thing is consistency. With that he’ll see he doesn’t need the high heat he used to have, but perfect his ‘go-to’ pitches and still get the job done.

For the 2015 season I’m going with an over/under of 16 wins for CC if healthy throughout the season. I think he can make the changes to get all that’s possible out of his arm, keeping the fastball near 90, and maintaining a constant control of the changeup and 2 seam. He is the most important part of a rotation with a younger backside of players who need leadership.

CC believes he can do what it takes to make this team a contender in the American League again, and I do too.

Next: The Next Ron Guidry?

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