CC in the Bronx: Sabathia may be worth it, but do the Yankees have any tact?

What recession? Apparently the Yankees are blissfully unaware of the economic crisis that has hit this country with devastating force. Because to the Bronx Bombers, 160 million dollars is chump change. I can just picture Brian Cashman going into a Waffle House and tipping the waitress a thousand bucks for a ten dollar meal of pancakes and hash browns. Heck, when you have that much dough, why not just flaunt it?



The Fighting Pinstripes netted the most coveted free agent in baseball, signing ace CC Sabathia to a seven-year, 161 million dollar deal, tearing the lid off what was an oddly uneventful Hot Stove season. This marks the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. Yes, even larger than the 7-year, 127 million my beloved Giants stupidly threw at Barry Zito two years ago. Sabathia had been actively engaged with many teams, including the Giants, and he repeatedly expressed his desire to return to his California roots. Money talked, however, and the man who led Milwaukee to last year's postseason is headed to the Big Apple in what will be the first year at the new Yankee Stadium.



Even if an athlete had the combined talents of Michael Jordan, Willie Mays, and Jerry Rice, I still wouldn't spend 161 million on him. That's just way too much cash for anybody. With that being said, there's no denying the fact that Sabathia is worth big money. The Yankees will be in a three-way tussle for the AL East division crown next season along with the defending American League champion Rays and the archrival Red Sox, who still hope to sign Mark Teixiera. But with the addition of Sabathia, Joe Girardi's club has separated themselves, albeit slightly, from the division pack. Much has been made of CC's recent October struggles with the Indians and Brewers, but as ESPN's Jayson Stark astutely pointed out today on "ESPN First Take", the Yankees have to get to October first. And no one can deny the fact that CC Sabathia has been stunning in the regular season. As far as character is concerned, the Yankees are getting a classy individual. New York City is a magnificent place, but the tough media can agitate even the most saintly human being. But my guess is that CC will maintain his poise, stay calm, cool, and collected under the scrutiny of the press. Judging by all of the above, it is clear that Sabathia deserved a huge contract.



But 161 million dollars, to one player.....................seriously??? Was 155 million not enough? The "Evil Empire" has never been particularly neighborly, as the Steinbrenners make Ebenezer Scrooge look like an angel. Never, though, have they slapped America in the face this hard. Couldn't they have shown a little restraint, some recognition of America's fiscal struggles? Even a statement reading, "We have money. You don't. Take that America", would be better than nothing. Certainly, ridiculous contracts are very common in professional sports, and if any other team had Yankee money, they'd surely spend it in an occasionally egregious fashion. Yet am I the only one who is a little turned off by Brian Cashman's latest display of riches? Call me naive, old fashioned, jealous (partially true, as my Giants were one of the bidders for CC, only to see a top free agent slip through our fingers----again)-----call me whatever you like. I just do not find it acceptable to spend so freely during a time of significant economic turmoil. Also, something must be done to level the playing field in Major League Baseball. I love MLB, but more so than any other pro sport, it features an unacceptable discrepancy in payroll. Parity is a good thing. There is a reason why the Royals always stink and the Yankees and Red Sox always contend, and a big part of that reason is payroll.

Commissioner Selig, please act. One of your teams has enough money to start another government bailout, and this is not good for your sport.