Agent: Sabathia interested in remaining with Brewers
Posted by:
gwoelfel on
September 25, 2008 at
3:06PM CST
BY GERY WOELFEL
Contrary to wide-spread opinion, it isn’t a lock that CC Sabathia will be wearing a uniform other than the Milwaukee Brewers’ next season.
At least, that’s the opinion of Scott Parker and he should know. After all, Parker is one of Sabathia’s agents.
While reports and rumors are running rampant that Sabathia’s days with the Brewers are numbered, Parker isn’t buying into it.
What’s more, he totally dismissed the scuttlebutt Sabathia has already made up his mind to bolt Milwaukee after the season.
‘That’s totally untrue,’’ Parker told me in a lengthy telephone interview Wednesday.
Parker added Sabathia virtually loves everything about being a Brewer.
“He enjoys it there,’’ Parker said. “He likes Milwaukee. He thinks the Brewers have a great clubhouse. He really enjoys playing for them.
“So, of course, he’s interested`in re-signing with the Brewers.’’
Of course, that talk is all well and good. But the bottom line is whether the Brewers can show Sabathia the money. And plenty of it.
There have been reports Sabathia rejected a four-year, $72 million contract extension from the Cleveland Indians before being dealt to the Brewers. Not so.
The inside word is the Indians offered substantially less but were contemplating making such an offer after the season.
In all likelihood, Sabathia will want more money and more years than that offer. And, in all likelihood, Sabathia will covet – and you can go to the bank he will get – a deal that almost mirrors that of Mets’ pitcher Johan Santana. He signed a six-year, $137.5 million deal – or about $23M per year.
Yet, Santana’s contract is somewhat deceiving. Part of his deal includes about $13M for the last season of his last contract.
The remaining five years are worth $124M – or almost $25M per season.
That gargantuan contract, many believe, will make the Brewers a non-factor in the Sabathia Sweepstakes. Personally, I disagree.
The Brewers have financial wherewithal and flexibility to get it done. They can start by not re-signing both Ben Sheets ($12 million), Eric Gagne ($10 million) and Chris Capuano ($3.75M). That’s almost $26M right there.
There isn’t any question Sabathia would be worth it, too. He’s unequivocally a franchise pitcher.
Since coming to the Brewers, he has posted a 10-2 record with a glittering 1.78 ERA. He has an off-the-charts 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
And, at 28, he’s in the prime of his career.
If the Brewers want to remain a playoff-caliber team, and challenge for the World Series, it’s absolutely imperative for them to keep Sabathia in the fold.
Based on my conversation with Parker, Sabathia isn’t at all opposed to staying in the Brewers’ fold, either.
“If they’re interested in re-signing him, he’d be interested in returning there,’’ Parker said. “And that’s the truth.’’
Posted by: Ghost Rider on September 25, 2008 3:38PM CST
I like the thought but dont some of the Brewers come up for arbitration this yr? Fielder for one? Unless they do what has been rumored trade Fielder, Hall let Cameron out of his contract. I also heard about a 6yr 55 million contract offer to Hart. There is alot of things that need to happen before CC can be a Brewer
I would take Sabathia over Fielder ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. And yes, I realize he only pitches every 5 days.
Posted by: Stinky on September 25, 2008 5:42PM CST
Dare to dream.
I think that the Brewers are most interested in keeping Hart.
Posted by: teelaw on September 25, 2008 7:41PM CST
its a must to pay cc he is a stud with him brewers would be out of race let sheets go do what ever u need to to to make this work even if u have to trade some players
Posted by: packer21 on September 26, 2008 3:04AM CST
It is blatantly obvious to me that there are still many Brewers fans, as well as the so called "experts", that are still in the "Selig owns the team" mode. This is a different team, with a different owner. Granted there will have to be some concessions made, whether it be Sheets, Fielder, both, or a combination of several players, the fact remains that the new ownership is committed to winning and has a vision as to what it will take to do that, and the fans have responded with a record breaking year attendance wise. There is definitely a core group that will be retained (and based on the performance of Prince during this most crucial stretch, he is one of them), but there are also some big ticket players that we could afford to lose (Sheets, too injury prone; Hall, a man without a position can't find consistency; Weeks, over-rated) but CC is NOT one of them. When you acquire a player like this you must retain their services!I hope the playoffs become a reality this year, it could be the deal breaker for CC if the team ends up watching them again this year.......
Wow, I thought we were going to get Eric Gagne for the 1 year 10 million, but I guess we got Greg Gagne, we were bambuzled!!!!! That explains the Huge dissapointment that it turned out to be. Are they brothers? lol
They can get rid of Cameron, Sheets, Capuano, Gagne, Hall, Weeks, Suppan, Bush, Riske. As long as they keep their core guys this team is going to be just as good, if not better. They have one of the best farm systems in the majors, and when they bring some of these kids up it will be a smooth transition. If Gallardo stays healthy you won't even miss Sheets. Resign Sabbathia and Fielder and fix the bullpen and we won't be fighting for the playoffs with 3 games to go next year, we will have already clinched!
I would like to see Fielder hit the road if we can get a top starting pitcher. Also, weeks, and Hall are expendable, IMO. The only position players I consider untouchable are Hardy, Braun, and Hart.
Posted by: The Raytown Kid on September 26, 2008 10:26AM CST
I think it's funny that everybody wants Fielder gone, but I think they need to remember that it was Prince that carried this team on his back when they needed him most in September, and without that there's NO WAY they're still alive for the playoff race.
So? What about when Fielder stunk out loud? How many games has he LOST for us with his poor play at first base? I can think of a couple of them.
Posted by: The Raytown Kid on September 26, 2008 11:46AM CST
hey look at his overall numbers. they're almost the same as the "savior" Braun's. He gets crapped on way worse than Braun even though Braun has SUCKED for the last month. And how many games do you SERIOUSLY think he's lost by his defense at first base? You actually think that his DEFENSE has cost them that many games? You're REALLLY stretching it there, TBV
Posted by: The Raytown Kid on September 26, 2008 11:50AM CST
BRAUN:
BA: .286 HR: 36 RBI: 104 OBP: .333 SLG: .551
FIELDER:
AVG: .276 HR: 34 RBI: 101 OBP: .372 SLG: .510
PRETTY CLOSE! And if those are terrible year numbers, that's sure one heckuva player
Posted by: BIG BK on September 26, 2008 12:17PM CST
Hart has been on a slide since the all-star break. He was my favorite Brewer since last year, but know he looks lost. Have you seen some of his strike outs latley? Just brutal, swinging @ balls way out of the zone, etc.. Also his trademark hussle has been absent. As much as I used to love him, I could do without him at this point.
Posted by: The Raytown Kid on September 26, 2008 12:27PM CST
yeah hart's looked pretty lost at the plate but can't see I see any signs of lack of hustle. just last night he had a great hustle single where he slid underneath the the first baseman's tag. then he had a game saving catch in the gap in the 9th inning. so I wouldn't say his hustle is gone at all. just his focus at the plate
Posted by: drizzit on September 26, 2008 5:31PM CST
Sabathia is one of the best. I watched him on Wednesday, and we felt like we couldn't lose with him out there. He can load the bases, and you feel like the double play is being set up. I love this season, and it's not over, so quit talking like it's over. You need to get to the games especially when they play the Cubs and the Twins.
I know one of the minority owners of the Brewers and they will spend money. The problem is that although CC is a great pitcher, it is extremely difficult to spend that kind of money on one player. There would be no wiggle room for anything else of substantial value. This team stilll needs a closer, centerfielder, and a few more pitchers.
As much as I love signing CC to a long term contract, that would not be the wise move.
Look for this team to trade Prince sometime within the next year for a number 2 pitcher and a centerfielder for the future. The team is very high on Gallardo and Parra and a number 2 type pitcher will have this team contending for titles. As far as replacing Prince goes, Gamel is most likely to move across the diamond and be our starting firstbasemen in 2010.
Posted by: Afroman on September 28, 2008 9:23AM CST
Raytown kid
Errors Fielder-16
Braun-0
The basis of the Brewers fall this season was due in major part of a lacking bullpen. Not one person in that bullpen was lights out this year. The brewers can definitely afford to get rid of half the guys in that bullpen and sign C.C. and let they're guys from AAA Nashville step up to the majors and play because they've earned it!!
Posted by: concerned4 on September 29, 2008 9:20AM CST
It would be great if we could keep Sabathia, we wouldn't be in the playoffs without him, Braun and Fielder at the end.
On another topic, because I'm sure you won't bring it up, did you notice that Rodgers got 3 interceptions yesterday, got hurt and Favre threw 6 touchdown passeson a bad ankle!
Vinny, I agree with most of your analysis and think it most likely that we will trade Fielder for a #2 starter IF we cannot sign Sabathia. If we sign Sabathia, then our rotation is: Sabathia, Gallardo, Bush, Parra, Suppan. McClung and Villanueva would make good long relievers/spot starters. If Sabathia cannot be signed, look for a trade with an AL team involving Tubby and possibly Weeks or Hall. I wouldn't be surprised, but it would piss me off if we ept Hall/Weeks and dealt JJ to make room in the infield for Escobar. I think you move JJ to second and get rid of Weeks before you move Hardy to another team. You're right, we need a centerfielder. I would love to keep Cameron if he can be signed short-term for a reduced price than what we paid this year. He is a GREAT centerfielder.
The only problem with moving Weeks and Hall is who would want them. They are both terrible at the plate and erratic in the field. Too many errors and weak at the plate. I'm not sure what they are paid but in either case it is too much.
I agree with TBV - keep Hardy he is good solid all around baseball player. There are too few of those in the league.
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