With no Ohtani, the Yankees should make CC a priority
![HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: CC Sabathia](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fyanksgoyard-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F10-2F864814008-league-championship-series-new-york-yankees-v-houston-astros-game-seven-jpg-82235cdcbe430332f71a8bf221df40e5.jpg)
With the Yankees officially being eliminated from the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, the need to bring back veteran lefty CC Sabathia has never been more evident.
Following a very strong 14-5 campaign with a 3.69 ERA in 27 starts, the 37-year old re-established himself as a prominent figure in the Yankees rotation.
“I want to be a part of something that I started,” Sabathia said regarding his opinion on returning to the Bronx.
With the clear need for another starter, he may get that chance. As of today, the Yankees own a rotation of Luis Severino-Masahiro Tanaka-Sonny Gray-Jordan Montgomery, with the 5th spot up in the air, as they head into the Winter Meetings.
It’s no secret that in order to survive a full season, a team certainly requires at least six or seven starting pitchers, along with a reliable swingman here and there.
With that said, the likelihood general manager Brian Cashman adds another trusted, reliable starter is almost guaranteed.
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An arm like Alex Cobb, who owns a career 3.50 ERA in six big league seasons, could be a viable option. Predicted to land around a $12 million AAV, he plays along the same lines as Sabathia does, as a relatively cheap alternative to a free agent pitcher like Jake Arrieta or Yu Darvish.
With the clear-cut goal of the offseason being to get under the $197 million luxury tax threshold, any big name contract is likely to be avoided. So to all the fans who dream of J.D. Martinez in pinstripes for the 2018 season, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.
Although no set price has been named, Sabathia isn’t expected to command anywhere near the $25 million he received in 2017, but that isn’t to say the big fella won’t get his fair share.
Whether or not Sabathia is willing to return on a one-year deal could end up being the deciding factor.
However, as one of the more notable starting pitchers on the market, the idea of Sabathia receiving multi-year deal offers isn’t out of the question. You can bet there are teams desperate enough for pitching to give him more than just a one-year deal.
Although the Yankees offering Sabathia multiple years is a stretch, that doesn’t mean they will just let him walk away. After all, CC was critical to the Yankees’ regular and postseason success.
In 11 regular season starts following a loss, he went undefeated, 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA.
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Of course, you can’t expect the same production in 2018, but somewhere along the lines of a sub 4.00 ERA is certainly within the realm of possibility. It will likely come down to Sabathia and the Yankees’ mutual willingness to reach a short-term deal that seems fit for both sides.