# And it Begins:Sabathia to the Yankees **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 10, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552 "2008-12-10T14:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/21 "2008-12-10T23:23:18Z")
I wonder if the Dodgers are going to seriously look at Peavy. Coletti had better have _something_ planned, because our pitching staff is 3 cripples and a teenager right now. We signed Blake, which takes care of 3rd, and may still reach a deal with Manny, but **where are our pitchers?!?** ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/22 "2008-12-10T23:41:17Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I wonder if the Dodgers are going to seriously look at Peavy. Coletti had better have _something_ planned, because our pitching staff is 3 cripples and a teenager right now. We signed Blake, which takes care of 3rd, and may still reach a deal with Manny, but **where are our pitchers?!?** It looks like your ownership is feeling the money crunch and is waiting on better bargains. He did overextend to buy the Dodgers as I recall and I suspect the crisis has hit him harder than most big market franchises. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/23 "2008-12-10T23:58:46Z")
The Diamondbacks have been absent from most talks and that is probably a good thing. I wasn’t upset at all when Randy Johnson left. Haren and Webb are as good as any 1-2 starters in MLB. A full season of Doug Davis will have him as a #3. The D-backs need to add a bat. We need a second baseman. Still, most of the team will be the same as last year. Unless there are some surprises, I’ll say the Dodgers and D-backs will battle in the NL West and I’ll keep an eye on San Francisco. It looks like the Padres are taking a step back. The Rockies should improve if they’re healthy, ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/24 "2008-12-11T00:25:37Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > As for Texiera, the Yanks still of plenty of money left over as nearly $75 million cleared from the payroll. I don’t think it’s going to be divided between Texeira, Lowe AND Sheets (Burnett may end up in Atlanta), but I wouldn’t complain. Although I don’t like it when the Yanks go after every single free agent. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/25 "2008-12-11T00:40:34Z")
I can only hope the Yankees take A.J. Burnett. That’s a white elephant just waiting to bust out. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/26 "2008-12-11T00:47:03Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t think it’s going to be divided between Texeira, Lowe AND Sheets (Burnett may end up in Atlanta), but I wouldn’t complain. Although I don’t like it when the Yanks go after every single free agent. As I said, we don’t need Lowe or AJ for their asking price. Teixeira is a good fit as we currently have no lock at first and could use a bat to replace Bobby Abreu and Jason G. Now the drawback is once we sign Teixeira if it becomes required we have to move Jeter or A-Rod to the outfield instead of 1st and Jorge only has DH open. This is a minor issue though. Teixeira has a very good glove and very good bat. I think he might be worth the long term deal and then pick up one or two starters from the next tier after Lowe & AJ. In the end we still end up saving money over last year. Also on the pitching, keep an eye on the economy. Houston and San Diego both have to dump some salary and it is possible other teams will also need to. There might be some reasonable trades available to get a good starter in January. > [@RickJay](#): > > I can only hope the Yankees take A.J. Burnett. That’s a white elephant just waiting to bust out. That is why I do not want him. We already lived through Pavano recently. So how are the Blue Jay financials now? Have they already dropped enough salary? ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/27 "2008-12-11T00:53:48Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I can only hope the Yankees take A.J. Burnett. That’s a white elephant just waiting to bust out. Exactly what I came in here to say. Burnett’s only worth anything when he’s in a contract year. You’d think that people would have noticed the pattern by now. Edit: > [@What Exit?](#): > > So how are the Blue Jay financials now? Have they already dropped enough salary? Christ, I hope not. The more money they free up, the more money Riccardi has to spend on idiotic long-term deals. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/28 "2008-12-11T01:01:56Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Now the drawback is once we sign Teixeira if it becomes required we have to move Jeter or A-Rod to the outfield instead of 1st and Jorge only has DH open. This is a minor issue though. I agree - it’s a minor issue and not one for this year. Neither of them is going to be willing to make that move anyway, in my opnion. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/29 "2008-12-11T01:25:13Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > That is why I do not want him. We already lived through Pavano recently. > > So how are the Blue Jay financials now? Have they already dropped enough salary? The team plans, apparently, to spend about as much money as they did last year. What’s puzzling is their inability to recognize that spending all that money didn’t provide results. They have lots of money - they’re owned by Rogers, after all - but you’d think they’d want something for it. Rogers could pay for AJ Bunett just with their iPhone revenues in the next couple of weeks. (Rogers is a communications empire with more money than God, and is the Canadian iPhone network.) Burnett’s salary will likely be replaced with other salaries. Apparently they’re serious about getting Rafael Furcal, which would likely cost about the same as Burnett. Furcal, assuming he’s healthy, would be a reasonably good addition to a team that doesn’t really have anyone who can play short and hit. I’m VASTLY more concerned about Shaun Marcum’s arm injury than losing Burnett. I would much rather have the draft picks Burnett will bring if he signs as a free agent than I would Burnett himself. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/30 "2008-12-11T02:26:04Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The team plans, apparently, to spend about as much money as they did last year. What’s puzzling is their inability to recognize that spending all that money didn’t provide results. They have lots of money - they’re owned by Rogers, after all - but you’d think they’d want something for it. Rogers could pay for AJ Bunett just with their iPhone revenues in the next couple of weeks. (Rogers is a communications empire with more money than God, and is the Canadian iPhone network.) I’m confused I thought Ted Rogers just died. Who is running the team now? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/31 "2008-12-11T02:54:24Z")
[QUOTE=Cbs] The Blue Jays organization suffered a heavy blow with the death of its owner, Ted Rogers. Rogers, 75, who purchased the Jays in 2000, died of heart complications. His death leaves the Blue Jays in a state of flux as to whether his family or his company, Rogers Communications Inc., is willing to continue running the franchise. And if they do, for how long? [/QUOTE] More here: [http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/TOR](http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/report/TOR) ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/32 "2008-12-11T13:52:48Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Cano and Cabrera were disappointing last year, but I’m not prepared to give up on either. The Yankees are a bit less patient then you, They are reportably dealing Cabrera for Cameron. A useful short term trade, but one that makes an old lineup older. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/33 "2008-12-11T13:59:02Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > The Yankees are a bit less patient then you, They are reportably dealing Cabrera for Cameron. A useful short term trade, but one that makes an old lineup older. Cano they need to keep. He has too much potential. Melky was never going to top out to more than a serviceable and inexpensive player. Not that I want Cameron but I can see trading Melky. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/34 "2008-12-11T15:08:09Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > Second, this morning ESPN is reporting that C.C. Sabathia has reached a preliminary agreement to join the Pinstriped Legions of Hell. The contract is reportedly six years, $140 million, and Sabathia’s first-born. I suppose it was inevitable, but I got a little frisson of excitement thinking that maybe Sabathia was about something other than the money, which was stupid. Repeat after me, boys and girls: _it’s always about the money_. So, you generally pick the job offer with the lowest pay? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/35 "2008-12-11T15:24:59Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > So, you generally pick the job offer with the lowest pay? I’m a Yankee fan and I disagree with **storyteller0910** ’s take, but I have taken the lesser paying job in the past based on commute and family needs. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/36 "2008-12-11T15:29:45Z")
In other news, to make it easier for the fans in the cheap seats, the Mets exchange Aaron Heilman for a guy who will have “Putz” on the back of his uniform. To be fair: two of my favorite minor Mets, Joe “Shlabotnik” Smith and Endy Chavez, are also going to Seattle for J.J. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/37 "2008-12-11T15:34:24Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’m a Yankee fan and I disagree with **storyteller0910** ’s take, but I have taken the lesser paying job in the past based on commute and family needs. Right, but couldn’t making more money be a family need/want in some situations? If a player takes extra money so his family can live a more luxorious life, even if the situation was a bit less enjoyable for himself, wouldn’t that player be being rather selfless? How bout a player who refuses a trade from a non-contender to a contender mid season, because they doesn’t want to disrupt his family. Why is that player considered selfish? Players get killed by the media and fans when they do that. There are so many factors involved in these decisions that we have no knowledge of. It is unwise and unfair to make any conclusions on a player’s mindset. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/38 "2008-12-11T15:39:49Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > Right, but couldn’t making more money be a family need/want in some situations? If a player takes extra money so his family can live a more luxorious life, even if the situation was a bit less enjoyable for himself, wouldn’t that player be being rather selfless? How bout a player who refuses a trade from a non-contender to a contender mid season, because they doesn’t want to disrupt his family. Why is that player considered selfish? Players get killed by the media and fans when they do that. > > There are so many factors involved in these decisions that we have no knowledge of. It is unwise and unfair to make any conclusions on a player’s mindset. I agree with you on the above. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/39 "2008-12-11T15:44:06Z")
To correct myself, Joe Smith goes to the Indians (from [MLB’s website](http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081211&content_id=3712527&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp)): [QUOTE=MLB] The Mets also received outfielder Jeremy Reed and right-hander Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners received outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and, from the Mets, right-hander Aaron Heilman, center fielder Endy Chavez and four Minor Leaguers – first baseman Mike Carp, right-hander Maikel Cleto, left-hander Jason Vargas and center fielder Ezekiel Carrera. The Indians received right-hander Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from the Mariners. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552/40 "2008-12-11T15:46:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’m a Yankee fan and I disagree with **storyteller0910** ’s take, but I have taken the lesser paying job in the past based on commute and family needs. Understood, but the OP seems to imply that Sabathia is evil because he took the best paying job. Maybe I’m misunderstanding his tone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-it-begins-sabathia-to-the-yankees/476552.md?page=3)