MLB - Sports Rumors

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:21 am EST

What if the Yanks don't get, Sabathia, Lowe, Burnett?

By Joe Zedalis

Derek Lowe

Getty Images

With no playoffs in 2008 and a new stadium opening in 2009, the New York Yankees are trying their hardest to make the three top free-agent starting pitchers extremely rich. But it takes two parties to finish a deal.

Imagine the horror in the Big Apple if the Yankees somehow struck out on CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

That would be the ultimate low blow to the Yankees' self-esteem and would leave manager Joe Girardi wondering how he's going to fill the 200 innings he got from Mike Mussina, who is retiring. It might force general manager Brian Cashman to stop trying to get Andy Pettitte to take a pay cut. And it could happen.

It's easy to think of players as the ultimate mercenaries, but the highest offer doesn't guarantee a deal. Remember when the late Syd Thrift said he felt like he was offering "Confederate money" when free agents wouldn't come to Baltimore under any terms?

No one is suggesting the Yankees have slipped as badly as the Orioles under Peter Angelos, but it's not a slam dunk that they are going to be able to money-whip Sabathia, Burnett or Lowe.

The Yankees reportedly opened bidding with Sabathia at a record $140 million over six years, but it has become clear Sabathia wants to explore other options, especially any from his native California or in the National League (he loves to hit). The Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants (Sabathia's hometown team) are expected to enter the bidding, making it even more unlikely he'll return to Milwaukee.

Source: Chicago TribuneNew Window

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179 Comments

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  1. JS
    1. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    What if the Yankees don't get these guys?...Well then...THEY'LL STILL SUCK!!!!
  2. Qbass187
    2. Posted by Qbass187 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:25 pm EDT

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    Then we'll all laugh.
  3. Jack K
    3. Posted by Jack K Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    this whole free agency thing is ridiculous. these teams are trying to buy their way to a world championship when we just saw a team win it all by NOT doing that and by getting the players from their farm system (Rollins, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Hamels, Victorino, Ruiz, Myers). Pay more attention to scouting, drafting, coaching players and develop the your talent.... a thing called old fashioned baseball.
  4. Mr Mo
    4. Posted by Mr Mo Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    What a bunch of useless speculation. I feel slightly dumber for having read this. If the author isn't comparing the yankees, who had the 4th best record in the al, to the orioles of 7 years ago (7?), why write it?
  5. davfied
    5. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    JS,
    You are a true Yankee hater. On Thanksgiving no less. There is no way this will happen. Who cares? The prize is Texeria, who they will sign. One of the pitchers mentioned along with Peavy and/or Sheets will do the trick. All haters have a nice Holliday.
  6. Mr Mo
    6. Posted by Mr Mo Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    jack
    no important free agents on this year's phillies, huh? Wow you are a fount of misinformation.
    Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Even you founts of ignorance!
  7. Ron
    7. Posted by Ron Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:40 pm EDT

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    We can only hope. Money can't buy love, and it can't always buy a championship.
  8. Make U Panic
    8. Posted by Make U Panic Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    As you say they suck but you took time out of your Thanksgiving to make a comment! Sounds like you are envious and jealous. Maybe worry about your own sorry team then!
  9. live 4 surf
    9. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    #7 money can buy a certain kind of love,and in baseball it does make it easier to put a good team on the field. if you don't spend no titles.except the marlins in the last 33 years.
  10. davfied
    10. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Hey Mo,
    " Founts of ignorance ". I haven't heard that in years. last evening I went back and read your & Denise's description of you know who's mental problem and got quite a laugh out of it. Not for content but for him trying to figure out what in the heck it meant. When I get pi$$ed my suave & brains disappear. Anyway, have a good Turkey / football day.
    Make U Panic,
    Well said. You can't teach hatred & jealousy either.
  11. anthony d
    11. Posted by anthony d Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    I can't imagine a player not wanting to play in a great city, with fans that know the game, and for a club that cares about winning. Oh and I almost forgot the brand new stadium. Everyone wants to be a Yankee. And for anyone who is jealous about the Yanks abilty and to go out and try to get better, take that up with you own team. See, the Yanks sell. That translates into dollars we can spend. That's why we are all reading this article. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
  12. JDA
    12. Posted by JDA Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    Not great punctuation in this blog
  13. anthony d
    13. Posted by anthony d Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    Did I miss something" Has any other team landing a big time player?
  14. wellwhatever543
    14. Posted by wellwhatever543 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    yankees suck and will be horrible if they can't get any of those pitchers
  15. JS
    15. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    Dav...if saying "Yankees Suck" means I'm a Yankee hater...then, yes...Guilty as charged...Probably will be a 'Yankee hater' until hell freezes over or until Steinboner's sell the team, whichever comes first...LOL!!!!
  16. sport
    16. Posted by sport Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    anthony d, couldn't agree with you more, when baseball is mentioned, the first team anyone that knows anything about baseball will think of is the Yankees!! The best baseball team the ever played the game, with the greatest players that ever stepped on the field!
  17. carf44@...
    17. Posted by carf44@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    Jack K---Were Brad Lidge, J.C. Romero, Joe Blanton, Adam Eaton, Pedro Feliz, Matt Stairs, Geoff Jenkins, or Jason Werth from their farm system, just to name a few. Don't be nieve. The Phillies had as many free agents as the next team. The Yankees have plenty of home grown talent (Cano, Rivera, Jeter, Melky, Hughes, Joba, Posada, Gardner, Petttitte, etc.) Don't hate the Yanks for having an owner that will spend money to put GOOD free agents around their home grown talent.
  18. dude63
    18. Posted by dude63 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    Any one who says the YANKEES suck, is jealous. even if those 3 guys(pitchers)dont come to NY we will get pitching 1 way or another. We are talking YANKEES baseball. We always do what has to be done. Now with that said, texeria should NOT come to NY, yes hitting sucked last year BUT we need to get pitching and play small ball like 1996 to2003.,that's when we are at our best. HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2 ALL & GO YANKS
  19. Yankees 27th World Series
    19. Posted by Yankees 27th World Series Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    The table of Championships rest squarely on four legs.
    1. Wise Management (includes front office, marketing, player development on all levels and scouting (to name a few)
    2. Strong Farm System
    3. Key Trades
    4. Key Free Agent Upgrades
    To stay competitive you need all four of these legs. Otherwise, you may have a surprise year or two but you will not stay consistently competitive. we all like to sound off on how great our favorite team is but NOBODY knows what next year will be like - only guesses on paper.
  20. Justin
    20. Posted by Justin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    Then it tells everyone, that all players dont want to play for that as s hole steinbrenner and also dont want to be linked as fukking Madonna
  21. khjbfd207
    21. Posted by khjbfd207 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    Davi---I think the article was a what if and nothing more. Honestly you know that some players who have no trade clauses when talking of trades say NY is one place they will not accept. Sabathia might not go to NY for reasons justr tgo be near home. AJ might just not want to be in TOUGH NY arena. I would not blame him. The slightest mistakes and the crowd wants to kill you. While the situation is unlikely, i think its possible. I think its more unlikely than possible because many players just move for the money They don't care for who they play for. If you can pay me more i'm yours
  22. STEPHEN
    22. Posted by STEPHEN Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    yankees suck?? do the math idiot!!! 26 titles and counting!!! If we do not get CC, Lowe or Burnett, we will get Teixiera, Sheets and trade for Peavy!!! and please if the yankees suck, who's your team??? i hope you choke on your turkey!!!
  23. rick b
    23. Posted by rick b Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    keep on hating....even if we don't get them, we'll still be better than 90% of the teams in the league! I think everyone should just worry about themselves and we'll see you next Sept/Oct.
  24. Luke K
    24. Posted by Luke K Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

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    One: the yankees need to learn from the rest of baseball, buying everyone doesnt win championships, that is why they havent gone to the world series in 5 years and havent won in 8.
    Two: i think the yankees have a shot at signing only one of those pitchers and that is burnett, sabathia likes the west coast and lowe wont want to face his former team so much
    Three: texeria will sign back with the angels since K-rod and anderson are gone so they will have more money to sign him, and what would be the point of trading for swisher just to get texeria
    Four: being a yankee just isnt what it used to be
    i think the yanks finish 3rd maybe 2nd if the rays cant defend or cant compete since the rest of baseball now knows that they arent a doormat anymore
  25. khjbfd207
    25. Posted by khjbfd207 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    Dave D--You need to add a 5th. Using your 4 legs analogy lets say the table top is the 5th. KEEPING HEALTHY. A team will have a hard time staying on top if TOO MANY injuries occur. Not immposible. If too many injuries to key players. Especially if DL stints are lengthy ones like 60 day DLs. Thats tough to keep up. Thats where a good farm and good trades come in during the season. Administered by good management. You make a good point with the 4Table legs of support, but if your table top can't sustain wight on top, the legs will fall to the side to a point. That just depends on howmany injuries and how fast you make patches. Case iin Point---This years Braves. Devasting injuries and could not make adaquate repairs. Result---The team crashed

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