Yankees should add a starter according to CC Sabathia

CC Sabathia is correct in his assessment that you can never have enough quality arms. But what does that say for the other four Yankees starters?

Perhaps veteran Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia was using his words as a motivational tool. Maybe he was just being honest and did nothing wrong.

However, I was a bit surprised that the six-time All-Star would publicly state his case as to why the Yanks need more arms for the upcoming season.

On Saturday, Sabathia spoke to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com while at the ribbon cutting of the Boys & Girls Club at Christ Episcopal Church in New Jersey.

"“It is what it is, (but) you always need more,” Sabathia said when asked if the Yankees need more starting pitching. “It’s a long season. You never know what’s going to happen. The more arms we got, the better.”"

About to embark on the 18th season of a potentially Hall of Fame worthy career, one that includes a 2007 AL Cy Young Award, 2009 ALCS MVP and World Series title, Sabathia has earned the right to speak his mind.

But as a mentor, especially to fellow southpaw Jordan Montgomery, Sabathia should have chosen his words a bit more carefully. I mean, who is the one starting pitcher that would likely be bumped from the rotation if the Yankees signed a free agent such as Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb or Lance Lynn?

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The answer is Montgomery. Coming off a solid rookie campaign, the only way the 25-year-old South Carolina native improves is by facing big league hitters. However, after signing a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason, perhaps Sabathia is solely focused on 2018.

Not only could this be the 37-year-old’s final season in pinstripes, but his baseball future will likely depend on the condition of his arthritic knees and how he copes with consistent lower back pain.

If Sabathia pitches as he did in 2017, there’s no way anyone would consider removing him from the rotation, especially while making $10 million. But what happens if 2018 resembles 2014-2016?

During those three consecutive down seasons, Sabathia went 18-26 with a 4.64 ERA and 1.406 WHIP. Many pundits speculated that his $23.6 million AAV would doom the Yankees long before he hit free agency this winter.

Obviously, we know CC turned it around big time in ’17 and was a huge reason why the Yanks reached Game 7 of the ALCS.

As went enter the homestretch before pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, I’d love for Sabathia to clarify his comments. Again, if he solely meant it as motivation for a staff that will likely return intact from last season, then fine.

If not, what is he getting at? Is Sabathia worried about:

The number of innings Luis Severino pitched in ’17 taking its toll?
Masahiro Tanaka having back-to-back poor regular seasons?
Sonny Gray not living up to the hype?
His own health and overall effectiveness?
The readiness and viability of prospects such as Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams and Domingo Acevedo?

Is it all of the above? Is it none of the above? Tell me why bringing speculation into consideration is even a good idea in the first place.

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Sabathia knows the Yankees are trying their hardest to stay below the $197 million budget. And while it’s probably not an essential part of the equation for him, the likelihood of Cashman swinging a deal for a “proven arm” diminishes each day that Jacoby Ellsbury or another high-priced veteran stays on the roster.

It’s time to accept this reality and build up the teammates he’s got. Maybe I’m too sensitive, but I don’t want anything throwing this team out of whack.

CC Sabathia is correct in his assessment that you can never have enough quality arms. But what does that say for the other four Yankees starters?

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