C.C. Sabathia’s future may become a popular topic during the 2008 season as he heads toward free agency. He’s in line for a megadeal – he turns 28 in July and won the ’07 AL Cy Young award.
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer confirmed yesterday that the Indians have made an offer to Sabathia. Hoynes expects negotiations to drag at least until the regular season begins, since Sabathia wants five to seven years and the Tribe doesn’t want to go that far.
Jake Peavy had a well below-market deal running through the 2009 season, and about a month ago he inked a contract extension covering the 2010-12 seasons for $52MM. The three-year extension also has a club option for 2013. Peavy’s contract will be the model for Mark Shapiro, rather than anything Johan Santana signs.
Realistically, I think the Indians could top out around four years, $72MM plus an option for 2013 in their offer to Sabathia. Will Sabathia make that concession, or will he go for the free market and maybe get seven years, $140MM?
