Interesting comment from SG at RLYW:
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"It seems like everyone’s basically fitting Lee for pinstripes in 2011, but I’m not so sure it’s going to be that simple. The big question for me is if someone will offer Lee more money than CC Sabathia’s making. If they do, and the Yankees beat that offer, then it’s pretty likely Sabathia will opt out of his contract after next year."
but yeah, if he perceives the market has moved and he could get more by opting out, i could see him doing that.
but the increment by which lee will beat CC is going to be pretty slim, if any, and CC and Lee are good friends. so maybe CC would like to pitch w/ lee and try to win the world series together. i could see that too.
[1] I don't see that as a big concern. If Lee does wind up singing for an extra million, the Yankees can easily offer to tack on another $1.5mn just to keep him happy. The only reason C.C. would opt out is if he thinks there is a chance to make significantly more than he is right now, and I don't think that's the case.
Also, worth noting, is Sabathia never did any national TV ads while in Cleveland. I am not sure how much Subway is paying him, but extra paydays like that need to be factored in as well.
Interesting comment from SG at RLYW:
--------------------------------------------------------------
"It seems like everyone’s basically fitting Lee for pinstripes in 2011, but I’m not so sure it’s going to be that simple. The big question for me is if someone will offer Lee more money than CC Sabathia’s making. If they do, and the Yankees beat that offer, then it’s pretty likely Sabathia will opt out of his contract after next year."
[1] CC said some stuff earlier this year about not opting out.
http://tiny.cc/a1zmi
but yeah, if he perceives the market has moved and he could get more by opting out, i could see him doing that.
but the increment by which lee will beat CC is going to be pretty slim, if any, and CC and Lee are good friends. so maybe CC would like to pitch w/ lee and try to win the world series together. i could see that too.
[3]
We'll just keep adding one-time Cleveland Indians ...
(I draw the line at Carlos Baerga)
[1] I don't see that as a big concern. If Lee does wind up singing for an extra million, the Yankees can easily offer to tack on another $1.5mn just to keep him happy. The only reason C.C. would opt out is if he thinks there is a chance to make significantly more than he is right now, and I don't think that's the case.
Also, worth noting, is Sabathia never did any national TV ads while in Cleveland. I am not sure how much Subway is paying him, but extra paydays like that need to be factored in as well.
[4]
If CC opts out, I think he'd do it ONLY to go back to the West Coast.
also should be noted that there is a difference between "opting out" and "leaving the yankees" as Arod taught us in 2007.
if CC opts out, i bet he still ends up a yankee.
[5] I don't see a west coast team meeting CC's contract demands.