CARLSBAD, Calif. — CC Sabathia’s Yankees run will go to 11.
The big lefty and the Yankees have completed a one-year, $8 million contract — pending a physical examination — for the 2019 season, according to industry sources. It will mark Sabathia’s 11th consecutive year in pinstripes.
Though Sabathia spoke often in the second half of the season about being open-minded to pitching elsewhere next season, which he intends to be his last, he ultimately decided to prioritize the Yankees and try other clubs only if he and the Yankees couldn’t agree on terms.
And that didn’t happen, as Sabathia — who will turn 39 next July — will take a $2 million pay cut.
He’ll do so after a fine 2018 season in which he tallied a 3.65 ERA in 153 innings pitched, striking out 140 and walking 51. The Yankees gladly would take similar numbers next season from Sabathia, whom they’ll try to slot as their fifth starter. In the interest of preserving him, they could pair him up with young left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who could return late next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June.
As Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday at the general managers’ meetings, “If I can get CC back, I’d still like to bring multiples behind CC.”
Cashman is engaged with the representation for free-agent left-hander J.A. Happ, who excelled for the Yankees after they acquired him from the Blue Jays last July. And the Yankees also expect to be in the mix on all of the major starting-pitching targets via free agency (Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel and Nathan Eovaldi) as well as potential trade acquisitions like the Indians’ Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.
Those transactions will require more time during this Hot Stove season. Sabathia’s return proved expedient thanks to his and the team’s comfort level with each other as well as the Yankees not counting every last penny as they did a year ago, when they were determined to stay under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold. Sabathia and the Yankees didn’t renew their vows last year until after the winter meetings in December.
In 10 Yankees seasons, Sabathia has compiled a 3.74 ERA in 1,810 ²/₃ innings pitched. He has established himself as a clubhouse leader as well as a community pillar, and he even scored points during his lowest moment in 2015 when he chose to publicize his battle with alcoholism.
His family has established full-time residence in New Jersey, further incentivizing Sabathia to stay put even as other clubs like the Angels, A’s and Astros were believed to be interested in signing him. Last winter, Sabathia turned away interest from the Angels, Blue Jays and Mariners to go back to the Yankees.
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