People inside the Yankees organization are skeptical about whether the Angels are as serious as it seems about signing star free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia. Some Yankees officials seem to believe: 1) that the Angels leaked their alleged intention to make an offer to Sabathia approaching that of the Yankees' $140-million, six-year offer to drive down the demands of first baseman and stated top target Mark Teixeira, or 2) that if the Angels do go for Sabathia, it will be with an offer in the range of $100 million-$120 million, not $140 million.
I, however, tend to believe the Angels are serious about Sabathia.
A competing executive from another American League team told me he believes the Angels are "dead serious." He predicts the Angels will match Johan Santana's $137.5-million, six-year deal with the Mets, causing the Yankees to up their offer to $160 million over seven years. At that point, the Angels would have to decide whether to increase their own bid.
Sure, the economy's in the tank. But there's only one Sabathia out there.
Maybe I am getting ahead of myself here. Maybe the Yankees are right that they are the only $135-million-plus game in town.
After all, the only official word I got out of the Angels since the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday that the Angels were intending to make a bid in the neighborhood of the Yankees' offer is: "Nothing's changed. We're still interested in Teixeira." If that's true, it would seem to support the Yankees' current beliefs.
Also supporting the Yankees' skepticism regarding the Angels are three more factors: 1) the Angels would appear to need Teixeira a lot more than they need Sabathia, 2) the Angels will want to extend their own star pitcher, John Lackey, very soon, and having a $20-million-plus pitcher on their payroll doesn't help that cause, and 3) Angels owner Arte Moreno is known to love Teixeira and has yet to show an inclination to give a pitcher a contract of such length.
However, I also know some of the Angels baseball people absolutely love Sabathia, and they probably don't mind the idea of creating a super rotation with Sabathia joining Lackey, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders to form the most formidable foursome in the game.
The Angels are a team that is prone to surprise, as did they did last winter with their quick signing of center fielder Torii Hunter for $90 million, a deal that was consummated between GM Tony Reagins and agent Larry Reynolds at a Del Taco out on Interstate 91. At the time, the Angels didn't appear to need a center fielder, as they had only signed Gary Matthews Jr. the winter before.
Come to think of it, that surprise deal for Hunter also occurred on Thanksgiving week. Could history be repeating itself here?
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7 years $160? No one could pass that up... even if he does want So Cal and the Angels offer 6 years $132 - $137.5. Guaranteed money until he is 36!? Wow... I want the big buy... but I am not sure at that price.
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1121)
wah wah now who is whinning about being out bid, this is the most rediculous thing I have ever seen. It would be nice to see the skankees lose out on everyone no other teams can survive with these salaries. For once I would like to cheer for my team in the playoffs not for any other team to beat the Yankees (and now Boston).
StephenSmith
Total Comments (1)
Nobody cares about your stupid site. Please go away and leave this blog to the adults.
Damn i was a Yankee or an Angel fan i would be very nervous about giving a pitcher $160 Million. What if he breaks down in a couple of years? That's got to drag down even a money printing club like New York.
48fan
Stockbridge , GA
Total Comments (105)
The Yanks aren't whining - merely questioning the real interest the Angels have in Sabathia. They have apparently been hot after Tex for the offseason, and now are shifting gears - so the Yanks have every right to question why they are doing it. That said, they aren't whining like Doug Melvin - saying that the Angels have bid too much. The Yanks very rarely whine - they simply open up the chequebook and overpay. But as a fan, I like having an owner who values winning over the bottom line (unlike Carl Pohlad for example). If the Angels want to bid that is fine. But keep in mind, they have a very good pitching staff already, Lackey is due for a mega contract next year, and Vlad is gone after next year. Logically, the Angels need Tex more than Sabathia. Either way, the Yanks won't make the same mistake twice - they lost out on Johan last year, they'll do whatever it takes to land C.C..
Shooter_McGavin
Total Comments (328)
The Yankees aren't whining like Doug Melvin did - they didn't say the Angels bid too much - they are merely questioning how true the report is - after all, the Angels would appear (to those who think logically anyway) to need Tex more than Sabathia (the Angels have a first rate pitching staff, Lackey is due a monster deal next year, and the Angels offense, which isn't great to begin with, will suffer when Vlad leaves next year...). The Yankees don't whine - they merely open the wallet up. And that is their right. I like having an owner who values winning over the bottom line - unlike owners such as Carl Pohlad. Go Yankees.
As for the length of the deal - that may come back to haunt the Yanks - but after losing out on Johan last year - Hank and Hal will make sure the Yanks land a top SP this year (please do NOT sign AJ Burnett... he's terrible).
Shooter_McGavin
Total Comments (328)
i don't want to hear any fellow yankee fans worrying about how much money we spend, its not like its our money, who cares, ticket prices will go up no matter want, the market dictates the demand for the tickets, so as long as there is a demand they can charge whatever they want..... plus the rest of the league's fans are gonna cry poverty regardless of how much we spend so it doesn't matter
Yank-ee Base-ball
Coram , NY
Total Comments (560)
CC blows when it matters. People are insane to pay him this.
BandofGold
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (782)
It is going to be so hilarious if the Yankees don't get anyone.lol
Yankees should just shut up. CC doesn't want to play in NY. Nice to see the guy has a brain
BandofGold
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (782)
Agree that Angels need Tex more that CC....but they need to cover their bases and CC is plan B. With Boras and his enormous demands, keep as an option is prudent.
LA Boy
Total Comments (1740)
"keeping CC as an option is prudent"
LA Boy
Total Comments (1740)
the money offers are getting insane!! wonder how long it'll be before we hear teams talking bankruptcy. crazy!!!
hermie
Elberta , MI
Total Comments (97)
Don't go close out the other options guys, but know that CC is looking at one issue first - family. His kids, and his wife too, bonded with their neighbors in Milwaukee/Brookfield. One other thing, CC is a realist, after $100M it all just stupidity and he knows it. Don't be surprised to see him thumb his nose at the Union and make an unconventional choice. May not be Milwaukee, but it certainly doesn't have to be the two big-ego'd markets.
Martygolfs
Little Chute , WI
Total Comments (2)
I read a post the other day where a guy asked "his Yankees" to stop handing out these ridiculously over-priced contracts. He said that he wanted it to be like the old days where people didn't play for the Yankees for the biggest paychecks in the game, but because they WANTED to be a Yankee....
Now, I'm not really a Yankees fan, but I do believe that's the fundamental flaw with this team. Outside of Jeter, Posada, and Rivera (who all make bank anyway) I don't think there's another guy on the club who plays for the Yankees.... it's all for the Benjamins
BravesandCards
Atlanta , GA
Total Comments (83)
C.C's offer sets a bar for the Angels having to deal with Lackey next year. If you get C.C. you maybe let Lackey walk. Don't get C.C, Lackey will still get huge $$ next year, more than Burnett, Lowe or Dempster, but not CC.
CC will not go back to Milwaukee, that team missed it's shot and is done. Staff in shambles, position player ready to leave in droves, its over.
Players want to be Yankees because the team has built a mission on winning the WS and have done so 26 times in 105 years.
The Angels need Teix now, their offense is floundering and they can't give up the best and youngest bat on the market.
sdeasy
Rapid City , SD
Total Comments (2)
i hope ur right.....
Yank-ee Base-ball
Coram , NY
Total Comments (560)
i hope ur right.....
Yank-ee Base-ball
Coram , NY
Total Comments (560)
x2 .... my fault.
Yank-ee Base-ball
Coram , NY
Total Comments (560)
sure he could turn it down, if he doesn't want to work in that urine stain some call the Bronx.
oh, and don't forget NYC has a city income tax
tommy9central
Newport , RI
Total Comments (134)
How could anyone from R.I. call the bronx a urine stain? Have you taken a look around the that turd that you call home?
nysportsman
Norfolk, VA
Total Comments (386)
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