MLB Rumors: Will the Rangers Attempt to Lure CC Sabathia Away from the Yankees?
October 13, 2011 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Last October, the Yankees and Rangers faced off against each other in the American League Championship Series.
Now, it looks like they could face off for the services of CC Sabathia.
According to Wallace Matthews of ESPN, Texas is prepared to court the Yankees ace if he decides to exercise his opt-out clause this winter.
A source told Matthews that Rangers owner Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels are prepared to throw a ton of money towards Sabathia, but many expect the lefty to re-sign with the Yankees.
The Rangers are preparing for the possibility of losing their ace, C.J. Wilson, to free agency this winter too, which would explain their reasoning for being interested in Sabathia.
Sabathia has declined to talk about whether or not he would use his opt-out clause to get more money this winter, but he has been very open about wanting to stay in New York and how much he loves playing in the Bronx.
Sabathia even put on his Twitter account that he loves the city and his family and daughter even miss the city and wanted to know when they were going back to Yankee Stadium.
Three years ago, many people felt that Sabathia would want to play on the West Coast since he is a native of California.
But three years later, it looks like Sabathia has found a love for the Bronx.
Now, if Sabathia decides not to opt out, then this story basically becomes a moot point.
But, the odds are that Sabathia will opt out of his remaining four years and $92 million.
If and likely when Sabathia does hit free agency again, you have to wonder how long it will take for Sabathia to make a decision.
The Rangers are looking to add Sabathia as a luxury to their pitching staff, which includes Derek Holland, Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison, plus Wilson if he does go back to Texas.
For the Yankees, keeping Sabathia is an absolute necessity. With so many question marks surrounding their rotation for 2012, getting Sabathia back for 2012 and beyond is their No. 1 priority this winter.
Last winter, the Yankees were prepared to offer then-free agent Cliff Lee a seven-year deal worth around $140 million.
The Yankees got to keep that money when Lee rejected the Yankees to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.
That money will basically be used now to go for Sabathia, maybe even more.
I expect the Yankees to start out with a six-year, $150 million offer for Sabathia and work their way up.
Could Texas match that? Who knows. Especially if they want to try and keep Wilson.
In the three years with the Yankees, Sabathia is 59-23 in the regular season and 5-1 in the postseason.
Sabathia is critical to the Yankees near-future and if they want any chance of competing in 2012, they need him back.
I think in the end, the Yankees will hang onto Sabathia and re-sign him to a very wealthy contract. But I know the Rangers and Ryan will do all they can to convince CC to come down to Arlington.
With the Rangers on the cusp of repeating as the American League Champions, playing in Texas is becoming an attractive place to play now.
But I think Texas will have to look elsewhere to bolster their team this coming winter.
When this is all over, expect Sabathia back in pinstripes.
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