Bronx Briefing: Yankees' CC Sabathia Continues To Build Opt-Out Case

By Neil Keefe
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CC Sabathia is going to opt out of his contract, and why wouldn't he?

He is the highest paid pitcher and most important player on the team with the highest payroll -- a Yankees club that has only A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova locked up for their potential 2012 rotation (if CC opts out). So yeah, CC is going to pull an A-Rod after this season and walk away from a ton of money for even more money. You can guarantee it.

Even though CC addressed his situation earlier in the year and said he wouldn't be talking about it again, it's going to become a topic of conversation after every start, and more importantly after every win.

Earlier in the season, when Sabathia was winless in four starts despite a 1.45 ERA, some New York writers thought that he wasn't pitching like the type of ace that could command more money by opting out. Then CC became CC, winning 12 of his next 15 starts. He is now 12-4 with a 2.90 ERA and currently the only 12-game winner in the majors. That's a pretty solid first half for someone looking for more than four years and $92 million -- and the first half isn't even over yet.

CC is going to walk away from the mega cash on his current contract because he can. He knows that Brian Cashman will open up the Steinbrenner's checkbook like he did almost three years ago and overpay for a left-handed ace. Why? Because Cashman has never been able to make his own. And I'm perfectly OK with it. The need to overpay for Sabathia is a necessity and it blows my mind that anyone can think differently.

There's no other option other than to give Sabathia what he wants -- and then some more. Well, unless you think the Yankees should try to overpay for Mark Buehrle, who has said he wants to retire anyway, or C.J. Wilson, or maybe try Javier Vazquez Part III. The starting pitching free agent market this winter is weak and Sabathia will be far and away the best option available.

After tying for the league lead in wins in 2009 with 19, Sabathia led the American League with 21 wins last season and already has 12 wins before the All-Star break this season with one start remaining against Tampa Bay on Sunday. He's 52-19 with a 3.19 ERA in two-plus seasons with the Yankees and an incredible 23-6 with a 3.16 ERA at Yankee Stadium where he has allowed only 16 home runs in 287 1/3 innings.

Some people are scared of overpaying for Sabathia and extending him until his late 30s or to the age of 40 as if the Yankees are strapped for cash. It's mostly the same people that were OK with letting Derek Jeter walk and watching Eduardo Nunez pick off beer vendors with his throws to first base because a lot of teams win the World Series with a shortstop that makes fans close their eyes when the ball is hit directly at him. I still don't understand the outcry for "overpaying" since it's not the fans' money and the Yankees have shown that if they want someone badly enough they will throw away their made up "budget" and do what they think it will take. It's going to be no different this winter with CC and rightfully so.

I wish CC wouldn't opt out, but he's going to. Now I can only wish that the Yankees do the right thing and give him whatever he wants. He's earned it and he deserves it.

Will CC be pitching in pinstripes next season? Make your case in the comments below...