Yankees and C.C. Sabathia need to go their separate ways

For 10 years, C.C. Sabathia was extremely effective for the Yankees. But all good things must come to an end and Sabathia’s time in pinstripes is likely over following his ALDS Game 4 defeat.

C.C. Sabathia is a bulldog. Each time he takes the mound, (29 times this season) he gives you all he’s got. Unfortunately, in Tuesday night’s must-win contest against the Red Sox, Sabathia could no longer answer the call for the Yankees.

In his 24th career postseason start, it took only three innings for Boston to run the 18-year veteran off the mound. Three earned runs on five hits, including two walks and a hit batter after just 59 pitches was not the way Sabathia, nor the Yankees envisioned Game 4 beginning.

Yes, there was a valiant effort to tie up the contest in the ninth inning against closer Craig Kimbrel, but similar to Game 1, a poor outing by the starter put the team in a hole — one that the Yankee offense fell just short climbing out of.

They’ll be plenty of time to discuss and dissect what the 2019 Yankees will look like, but less than 24 hours after their postseason exit, bitterness is paramount, so let’s try to stay reasonable.

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Following Sabathia’s one-year, $10 million deal last winter, everyone knew this could be his last hurrah in pinstripes. Despite missing a few starts due to swelling in his surgically repaired right knee, Sabathia still managed to pitch 153 innings while going 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.314 WHIP and 140:51 K:BB ratio.

At 38, there wasn’t much more the Yankees could have asked for from the six-time All-Star. That’s why many were confident when he was handed the ball in the win or stay home Game 4, especially when you consider Sabathia was 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA in the postseason for the Yanks.

But a lengthy first inning with spotty control wore on the big fella. By the time the third inning rolled around, Sabathia’s inability to pitch with much force on the inside part of the plate was evident, first in hitting Andrew Benintendi, followed by Steve Pearce’s soft single to center and then J.D. Martinez’s sac fly.

Following Ian Kinsler’s RBI line drive over the outstretched arm of Brett Gardner, and Eduardo Nunez’s single down the left field line, it was a miracle Sabathia was able to finish the third inning only down 3-0.

Tuesday night’s defeat marked the first time Sabathia had given up two runs in a home postseason start.

With Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka locked in as the only definite starters for the 2019 Yankees, there’s always a chance C.C. is brought back at a discounted rate. But I highly-caution that move.

Though Sabathia was still steady this season, entering his age 39 season he is no longer the type of addition that a World Series contender should look to make. If you want to bring back a left-hander with some New York experience, let it be J.A. Happ.

Despite his ALDS Game 1 ineffectiveness, Happ was 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB ratio in 51 innings pitched, following his move from Toronto. At 35, and yet to see a decline in his abilities, offering Happ a two-year deal with a club option for a third makes sense.

An onus needs to be placed on signing or trading for a frontline pitcher that is only now entering his prime. The most attractive name on the market this winter — excluding Clayton Kershaw, since we don’t know if he’ll opt out of his current deal, is Patrick Corbin.

Corbin, 29, finished the year 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.050 WHIP and 246:48 K:BB ratio across 200 innings. Though he’ll likely command big bucks, money shouldn’t be much of an issue for general manager Brian Cashman, now that his club managed to stay below the luxury tax threshold for the first time in 15 years.

Of course, we’d love to see an ace like Jacob deGrom or Madison Bumgarner bring their talents to the Bronx. However, both would cost a king’s ransom and are reportedly off the market. Perhaps that will change during December’s Winter Meetings.

The Yankee staff does need to get younger, though, which is why a legit opportunity to make the staff needs to be given to the likes of Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams and Jonathan Loaisiga. All three showed glimmers of hope this year, and there’s only one way to find out if they’ll be part of the future.

I get that C.C. is a massive clubhouse presence but someone else will need to pick up the mantle. There’s plenty of young leaders like Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and Aaron Hicks that appear ready to lead by example. And if this team is truly serious about returning to the World Series, a place they haven’t been to since 2009, incremental changes need to be made.

Besides, Sabathia has already stated he intends to pitch next season, even if it isn’t in New York. So don’t feel bad for C.C., he’ll get another one-year deal from someone — it just shouldn’t be the Yankees.

For 10 years, C.C. Sabathia was extremely effective for the Yankees. But all good things must come to an end and Sabathia’s time in pinstripes is likely over following his ALDS Game 4 defeat.

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