Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has high praise for CC Sabathia

The Yankees principal owner, Hal Steinbrenner had some encouraging words about veteran southpaw CC Sabathia. Will his words translate to a new contract?

On Wednesday, Aaron Boone was introduced as the 33^rd manager in the history of the New York Yankees.

In attendance was some of the Yankees’ front office staff, including general manager Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner. After Boone was introduced, Steinbrenner spoke with the media regarding the Yanks’ plans this offseason.

The Yankees losing the Shohei Otani sweepstakes was discussed, as well as spending, for the rest of the offseason. George Steinbrenner’s youngest son also talked about CC Sabathia, and the role he played during the team’s playoff run last season.

“CC was great. He was an incredible leader in the clubhouse,” Steinbrenner said of the veteran pitcher. “The players really looked up to him. He was the true kind of veteran presence you need.”

The words from Steinbrenner give hope to fans who would like to see Sabathia back in pinstripes in 2018.

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Battling injuries, alcoholism and an uncertain future, Sabathia put together his best season in nearly half a decade. He pitched to a 3.69 ERA and posted a record of 14-5 across 148.2 innings. The inning count is a bit low for Sabathia, who is used to routinely putting up 200 innings or more per season.

With the young rotation in place and even younger lineup, one through nine, a veteran presence inside the clubhouse is needed. Sabathia proved he could be that guy in 2017, and looks to be that for the Yankees for at least for one more season.

The Yanks are in search of another starting pitcher for their rotation, and adding Sabathia would make total sense.

They had Otani on their radar, and with him gone, Sabathia should be their top priority this offseason.

Next: Mock Yankee transactions for the offseason

A durable, end of the rotation-type guy, who is also a role model to the young players and a proven winner — well, it sounds like the Yankee Way to me.