Yankees: C.C. Sabathia 14 K’s Away from being Cooperstown bound

CC Sabathia has been a rock of consistency for the Yankees. Now 14 strikeouts away from reaching the exclusive 3,000 strikeouts club, a World Series title would only be icing on the cake for the Hall of Fame-bound veteran.

The veteran southpaw has already claimed this year to be his swan song season. The Yankees loss to the Red Sox in last year’s playoffs left a bitter taste so there’s some unfinished business for CC and company. As the burly left-hander gets ready for one final dance, he is only 4 wins from 250 for his career and 14 strikeouts from the exclusive 3,000 K Strikeout club, an automatic entry into Cooperstown.

Sabathia has been a rock of consistency throughout his Hall of Fame career. He won 11 or more games in his first 13 major league seasons. He’s won 10 postseason games and won the Cy Young in 2007 with the Cleveland Indians.

His 2008 season was even more magical after he single-handily carried the Brewers to the playoffs for the first time since 1982 after he was acquired at that year’s trade deadline. In 17 games with the Brewers, Sabathia went 11-2 in 130.2 innings pitched with a 1.65 ERA. Then, of course, Sabathia won a World Series ring in his inaugural year with the 2009 Yankees.

In 10 years with the Yankees, Sabathia has won 129 games, sports a .617 winning percentage with a 3.74 ERA while averaging 13 wins a season. Last season, Sabathia went 9-7 but he started 29 games and stayed off the injured list. He pitched better at home (3.12 ERA with a 6-3 record at Yankee Stadium versus a 4.23 ERA and a 3-4 record on the road).

Much had been made about how coach Aaron Boone stuck with a tiring Sabathia in what turned out to be the Yankees’ final game of the 2018 season. However, not even Roger Clemens in his prime was going to take out that Red Sox lineup.

Overall, Sabathia pitched well last year but was inconsistent. In April, May, June and July, he had ERAs of 1.69, 5.92, 1.93, and 5.48, respectively. He held hitters to a .250 batting average, which is pretty good for an aging star well past his prime. But Boone likely used last season as a learning experience.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Yankees analyst Cameron Maybin projects surprise landing spot for Gary Sánchez
• Yankees swipe intriguing minor-league FA lefty flamethrower from Braves
• What does Carlos Rodón’s new jersey number mean for Domingo Germán?
• 3 lefty relievers Yankees can still sign without breaking the bank
• Red Sox living in different financial ‘galaxy’ than Yankees Killer Rafael Devers

In order for the Yankees to make a deep postseason run this year, they need Sabathia to be healthy and fresh. He has to stay healthy. More importantly, he can’t tire easily late in the season. No one is expecting the Brewers version of Sabathia to walk into the clubhouse as he has not thrown a complete game in over three years. Although, if Sabathia can keep his pitch count down and get quick outs, it will help preserve his energy throughout the duration of the season.

The Yankees need quality starts from the veteran. Sabathia averaged just a shade over 5 innings pitched per game last year and that’s the maximum the Yankees should expect from him at this point in his career. Even if Sabathia reaches four innings in a postseason game, as long as he keeps the Yankees in the game, the team has a shot for a deep run.

Sabathia is motivated to win another title and he can help the Yankees do that by pitching inside, hitting the corners, and keeping the ball low. Another World Series ring would be a fitting end for this Cooperstown-bound player.