FanPost

How much will it take?

To sign CC Sabathia?

We've had a lot of talk this season about the Rangers' ability to add starting pitching through trade and free agency this offseason.  They have the trade chips to get someone; they have the budget room to sign someone.  There are two problems:

  1. Teams are holding onto prospects -- especially pitching prospects -- much tighter than even a year ago, making acquisition through trade much more diffcult.  We're seeing that this week.  I don't think a Teixeira-like deal is even possible this week.  Perhaps it will be a bit looser in the offseason but I wouldn't count on it.  We should all be thankful that Daniels traded Teixeira for what he did, when he did.
  2. All of the teams have money. 

The Yankees have Abreu ($16m), Pettite ($16m), Mussina ($11m), Pavano ($11m), and I'm going to go out on a limb and say they don't exercise Giambi's $22m option.  That's about $75m off the books, maybe low 60s if they resign Mussina or Pettite for a year.  But most teams are flush with cash right now, and many have foregone signing expensive free agents this year in favor of younger players. It's scary to think that the Yankees could afford to sign both Sabathia and Teixeira and not increase their payroll above 2008.

The Mets lose Alou, Pedro, and Delgado.  Do you think they'd rather save money and sign Ollie Perez or go for Sabathia?

Sabathia will want a contract bigger than Santana's several big market teams will be more than willing to give it to him.  I think it will take something like 7 years, or maybe you can get 6 with an option if you take his mother hostage, and north of $160m to get it done.  I see the the Yankees pushing hard, with the Mets, the LA teams, and maybe a new owner for the Cubs trying to make a big splash of revenge against the evil Brewers. 

I heartily disagree with those that inexplicable say Hicks is cheap.  But I'm not sure Hicks has the stomach to counter the offers that will come Sabathia's way this winter.  The length of the contract scares me more than the dollars, and I really think it will take 7 years.  I predict 7 years, no options, $170m.  Hell, it might be more if he somehow leads the Brewers to the division title.

Post your predictions below, I'll revisit this when he signs in the winter and see who came the closest.