November 26, 2008

Angels Going "coocoo" for C.C.?

C.C. Sabathia has said it, and almost every article written about him since then has said the same thing: he wants to play in California. Well, you can add this one to that list after that. 
The Yankees know that if all things were fair, C.C. Sabathia would be pitching on the West Coast come this April. However, they're trying to make things not-fair. By offering C.C. $140 million, they showed their great interest. And up to this point, no one has dared go near. In fact, the only other offer on the table at this point is that of the Brewers, however, it's $40 million less. But, that doesn't mean there isn't speculation.  It is now being reported that the Angels, unable to sign Mark Teixera in their quick-strike fasion, will now switch their focus to Sabathia. If they can get anywhere near the money the Yankees have on the table, Sabathia will be getting used to having a halo on his jersey. And, FOX Sport's Ken Rosenthal reported earlier that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (worst name ever) are prepared to offer him Johan Santana money (that's $137.5 million). If they do that the Yankees have 2 options: 1) Raise their offer even further. Possibly even to $160 million for 7 years. or 2) Let him go to the Angels. Either way, Hank and Hal won't be happy.

The other interesting thing being said, is that if the Angels sign Sabathia, the Yankees will pursue Mark Teixera. Now to me, this move doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The Yankees already got Nick Swisher and unless they wanna put him in center and Teixera at first  (which isn't that bad), it doesn't seem likely. Also, Angels' owner Arte Moreno has never been one to dish out big contracts to pitchers. Plus, John Lackey's got an extension comming his way soon and having a $20 million pitcher on the roster wouldn't help that.

Another thing to look at is if this happened, neither of these clubs would be addressing their real needs by doing this. The Angels need offense and already have above average pitching. I think they need to step up and give Teixera a good offer, he'll come around. The Yankees BADLY need pitching. It's a top priority for them. Their offense will come back. Posada will be healthy (hopefully), Cano will probably bounce back and so will Swisher. Not to mention A-Rod being on cycle for recieving another MVP trophy this year (he's won it in '03, '05 and '07). Their offense will be fine. So unless there's some big Blockbuster deal in the works here, I don't see this happening. So cheer up Yankee fans! It's a long winter!

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