C.C. Was a Bargain

There are many sportswriters out there criticizing Brian Cashman for spending too much money. They're saying that the $161 million they gave to Sabathia was way too much. We'll I've got a couple of points to make to counter what they're saying: The Yankees initial offer for C.C. was $140 million for 6 years which is $23.3 million per year. The final offer was $161 million for seven years which is actually $23 million per year, $.3  million less.

Many people have also compared it to Johan Santana's deal that he received from the Mets ($137.5 million, 6 years). However, based on how you look at it, Santana's deal can make Sabathia's look like a bargain for the Yankees! Santana has a $25 million club option for 2014 or a $5.5 million buyout. However, it can increase based on how he does in Cy Young voting and his IP. If that happens, he could get up to $157 million over seven seasons. Yes that's $4 million less than the Yanks paid for Sabathia but, the Yankees didn't have to give up any prospects to get him. And in that, lies the true reason why they got a good deal by signing Sabathia.