Yankees left-hander C.C. Sabathia indicated earlier this season that this could be the last year of his career, but now he seems likely to return in 2019. Sabathia recently told Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com that he aims to play next year, health permitting.
“I’m [going] start to start,” Sabathia said. “I go out one start and feel like I can pitch five more years. I go out another start and I’m [feeling] done. But if I can stay healthy — if my knee holds up — hopefully I’ll play one more.”
It’s not a given that the big-bodied Sabathia’s knee will continue to cooperate, given that he dealt with serious troubles in that area as recently as last year. The pain in Sabathia’s right knee was so acute last summer that he nearly retired, in fact, before receiving a painkilling injection that helped him finish the season. His ongoing presence was a major positive for the Yankees, whom he helped pitch to the ALCS before they lost in seven games to the eventual world champion Astros.
Thanks in part to Sabathia’s strong finish in 2017, the Yankees re-signed the then-free agent to a one-year, $10MM guarantee in the offseason. The 38-year-old (his birthday is today) has been more than worth the investment so far in his 10th season with the Yankees, having pitched to a 3.51 ERA with 6.93 K/9, 2.61 BB/9 and a 45.3 percent groundball rate through 100 innings (18 starts). Although ERA estimators such as FIP (4.55), xFIP (4.52) and SIERA (4.45) haven’t been enamored of Sabathia’s work, it’s worth pointing out he has managed to defy severe regression by serving as a soft contact artist. Among qualified pitchers, only Milwaukee’s Brent Suter has induced a lower average exit velocity against than Sabathia’s 84.5 mph, per Statcast (via Baseball Savant), which also shows little difference between his wOBA allowed (.316) and xwOBA (.306).
Based on Sabathia’s performance, it seems the Yankees would have interest in retaining him beyond this season if he remains healthy. It’s unclear whether the Yankees will acquire a controllable starter this summer or during the winter, but even if they do, they’d likely still have room for an effective Sabathia in their rotation. He’s arguably New York’s second-best starter right now, after all, trailing ace Luis Severino. The club also has the home run-prone Masahiro Tanaka and the much-maligned Sonny Gray under wraps past this season. Beyond that, there are plenty of unproven young arms in the fold, with the highly touted Justus Sheffield, the struggling Domingo German and the currently injured Jonathan Loaisiga among them.
At the very least, Sabathia’s a superior option to each member of that group at the moment, and returning in 2019 could help him further his Hall of Fame case. The former ace, who was previously with the Indians and Brewers, owns a 3.70 ERA in 3,417 innings and ranks 36th all-time in pitcher fWAR (66.3), 53rd in wins (243) and 55th in pitcher rWAR (61.0).
Hall of fame career.
No way, if Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling don’t go in, CC doesn’t go in either. Sorry.
We all know exactly why Clemens hasn’t been voted in yet, so that’s an unfair comparison (like saying Bonds hasn’t gotten in, so no way Trout will). With Schilling, who knows… While I don’t personally consider it a valid reason, his personality may be costing him significant votes. I think Sabathia is an “on the bubble” HOF candidate.
I don’t think it’s fair that Clemens and Bonds aren’t in. Yes, they used PEDS, but in their era, it was seen as giving yourself a disadvantage to NOT use PEDS rather than getting an advantage by using them. Since there are strict tests in play nowadays, it’s an advantage to be able to use them and not get caught. But back in their era, you were facing many hitters with steroids (in Clemens case) and you were hitting off of pitchers with steroids (in Bonds case.) I know this an unpopular opinion within the community, but I watched these players while growing up and it’s my personal opinion that they were hall of fame worthy players.
They would have to have a different set of a Hall of fame ballot and have all the people with questionable pasts that have not been voted in and lost eligibility or are currently up for election on a ballot and they judge the players off of that.
“I think Sabathia is an “on the bubble HOF candidate” Look up his stats as a LH and compare him to other left handers already in the Hall of Fame, case closed.
Lol Trout may easily end up with a better overall career than Bonds, that’s a lousy comparison Waz
I’m reasonably sure the basic point was understandable…
Bonds didnt do anything special. He didn’t hit even 300 homeruns. 1993-2007. His numbers are tainted.
And yet, Greg Maddux still Greg Maddux’ed, and Ken Griffey still Ken Griffey’ed.
No way, if Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling don’t go in, CC doesn’t go in either. Sorry.
Easily? You guys need to understand that it’s not just how you start but how you finish. PEDS or not, Bond was an amazing talent
Bonds and Clemens could have made it into the Hall of Fame without their drugs but they mad a wrong choice by using the enhancement drugs!! Joe Jackson made a wrong choice, Pete Rose made wrong choices. They too had hall of fame careers but aren’t in the Hall because they cheated in some form or fashion. They are all mentioned at the Hall of Fame for their positive contributions to baseball and that’s where it needs to end. None of them, Bonds and Clemens included, should ever personally be enshrined into the Hall of Fame or that is condoning their actions…after the fact.
“Joe Jackson made a wrong choice.”
And what choice would that be, Cardinals17? Please be specific.
“None of them, Bonds and Clemens included, should ever personally be enshrined . . . or that is condoning their actions…after the fact.”
So you are saying that the HoF has condoned the actions of admitted cheaters Gaylord Perry, Whitey Ford, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and others, admitted PED users Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench and Henry Aaron as well as blatant racist Adrian Anson by enshrining them. Got it.
What in the HELL are you babbling about, your example is not even a million miles close to being relevant here.
Xman he’s a no doubt HOF. No use going into the stats cause of course those make him very, very worthy, and of course the required achievements..Cy Young..Ring. What he’s meant to this team as a mentor and what he did for the Brewers, and finally how he dealt with his demons in his personal. He’s a First ballot all the way.
Have to agree, even being a Sox fan, CC has always been a great competitor, and he was an ace for a very long time before becoming a serviceable starter. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves, most aces burn out hard and fast in their 30’s, once their fastball diminishes. CC is on the rare spectrum that learned to be a pitcher, not a thrower, when he couldn’t just throw it past guys.
Go big fella go!
I mean, if he can go, why not go? He’s definitely proving age isn’t really a factor at this point. Hopefully his knee holds up. Love watching him pitch.
CC Sabathia needs 7 wins and 77K to reach 250 wins and 3000 strikeouts. He’s had an amazing career. Can’t believe it’s already been a decade in pinstripes… Take your time making the best decision for you and your family, CC. All Yankee fans love you, regardless what you do in 2019.
If Biggio is in,ANYONE CAN GET IN.
Agreed… Anybody who is a 7 time all-star, a 5 time silver slugger and a 4 time gold glover can certainly get into the HOF.
Boom
Hopefully the Yanks have a place for you next year big guy.
I love CC but I’d rather get rid of a guy a year early than keep him a year too long.
Yankees should sign him to a 2-year 14m deal.
He’s on 1 year deals from here on out, and probably only 1 more at that. If there is a place for Big Sexy still pitching at 45, then what CC is doing at 38-39 should certainly bring something in the range of 1yr/10 million for the backend of that rotation.
Big Sloppi did it by cheating every step of the way..
Johnny Agendapost missed out too.
H.o.F or not..this man is a fantastic competitor. To still be as effective as he is in this modern day baseball with over 3400 innings pitched in his career, also being the workhorse for most of his career… that’s a testiment as to how great this man is.
Jamie Moyer pitched til he was 48.
Also, Christopher Columbus never even set foot in any part of America.
I’d be happy if the Yanks resigned him to another 1 year deal. Hopefully the yankees have restocked the rotation by the start of next season and CC is more of the 4th/5th guy in the rotation
I would take him as a #4 or 5 at this point in his career any day. He has had an amazing 17.5 years and I hope he can pitch as long as he feels able. He is absolutely HOF material, but that’s just but the stats… and career… and oh yeah, the actual facts.
It’s pretty crazy to me thinking that 40% of the 2001 Indians starting rotation is still in the league and doing a damn good job.
More like 60% of the rotation, if going by body weight.
“And in this corner with a combined weight of 725lbs. you have the tag team title holder, the Training Table Trashers”…
wins dont matter. ks dont matter. era doesnt matter. awards dont matter. its all about his xwar + xbox and his acdcx2 statcasts and the r2d2 analytics. Whats his C3P0 on the mound? exactly.
C3PO? We talking Star Wars?
Kudos to CC wanting to pitch next season.
Jeers to Cespedes looking forward to golf
Not a first ballot hall of famer, but I could see him going the Jack Morris/Bert Blylyven route where everyone acknowledges he was really, really good but hangs around on the ballot before people just say “you know what, he was too good for too long to not get in, even though he maybe was never truly GREAT.”