Yankees Editorial: Should Yankees Be Concerned After Another Bad Outing From CC Sabathia?

To say CC Sabathia is in a decline is like saying Sam Dekker is good at basketball. (Did you see him last night for Wisconsin? Wow). The Yankee decided to have CC pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates AAA team in a minor league game yesterday instead of facing the Orioles.

Like Scott Baker, Sabathia was rocked for four runs, including two homers in five innings, while striking out seven.  Over his last 7.2 innings, he’s given up five homers. If that was a prospect, he’d be sent down.

Sabathia though doesn’t care.  

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"“I don’t give a [expletive] what stock they put in it,” Sabathia said, as the Yankees were losing a 10-2 game to the Orioles at Steinbrenner Field. “It is what it is. I’ve had spring trainings where I’ve given up a lot of runs and went out and had a good season. I’ve had spring trainings like last year where I didn’t give up [any] runs and I gave up [six] in the first game [April 1 at Houston]. So you all can put stock in whatever you want. I’m not really worried about it.”"

So now CC’s dropping curses in interviews? That’s fun. Though I don’t blame him. He’s probably frustrated.

Brian McCann caught CC in that game and gave a good perspective on it to NJ.com.

"Spring training is not, I mean, adrenaline plays a huge factor in results,” McCann said. “You run out of the bullpen with 50,000 people in the stands, if you’re throwing 94 (mph) you’re going to throw 97, 98. Adrenaline plays a huge factor in both sides, hitting and pitching. When the lights turn on, it’s a whole other ball game.”"

McCann is right. Pitching to AAA players is different than how he’s going to feel against the Blue Jays in a couple of weeks. Those AAA players are going to be amped facing someone like CC. Yes his velocity is up, but his location has been leaving a lot to be desired, like he did against the Mets a week ago.

I don’t think the Yankees should be concerned yet. However, CC can’t elevate the ball and blow it by people anymore. If he misses his spot, he’s going to get hit and hit hard. He can’t just power it by hitters anymore.

The next start for CC will be on Friday or Saturday, his last of the Spring. That’s the one you want to watch. That’s the one you want to see not only how the velocity is, but the location as well. If it’s off, it may be time to sound the alarm.

Not yet though.

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