CC Says N-O to NY?  UPDATED!

The Merc’s Andrew Baggarly is reporting — well, he’s not really reporting as much as passing along the rumor — that CC Sabathia has turned down the Yankees’ offer and that the Giants are slowly entering the picture:

It’s been confirmed to me that the Giants had discussions with CC Sabathia’s camp last night, and they expect to have face-to-face meetings with the left-hander in San Francisco after the winter meetings.

It sure must’ve have been a productive discussion, because word is that Sabathia has declined the Yankees’ six-year, $140 million offer. (I must stress that’s unconfirmed, but talk is spreading fast. If true, look for the Yanks to get hyper-aggressive on A.J. Burnett.)

And of course, many are buzzing that the Brewers and their creativity — bigger per-year money for a shorter term and an opt-out clause — may be the front runners.

I hope this is true from a purely journalistic standpoint, because writing about CC in pinstripes would be kind of boring.

UPDATE: Alert reader Meta notifies us that Robo has already shot this one down:

5:21 p.m. — Sources: No truth to CC rumor

There is no truth to reports that CC Sabathia turned down the Yankees, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.

It would make little sense for Sabathia to eliminate his highest bidder. It would also make little sense for the Yankees to pull out of the discussions when Sabathia is their principal free-agent target.

The Yankees remain in the mix for Sabathia, along with the Angels, Giants, Red Sox and possibly the Dodgers.

Rosenthal is, bar none, the best in the business at this stuff. Unfortunately, that makes him one of the biggest buzzkillers in the business too.

(link via Matt Watson at FanHouse)


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Meta
15 years ago

Robothal has already shot this one down.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8916168/LIVE:-Tuesday-updates-from-winter-meetings

“5:21 p.m. — Sources: No truth to CC rumor

There is no truth to reports that CC Sabathia turned down the Yankees, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.

It would make little sense for Sabathia to eliminate his highest bidder. It would also make little sense for the Yankees to pull out of the discussions when Sabathia is their principal free-agent target.

The Yankees remain in the mix for Sabathia, along with the Angels, Giants, Red Sox and possibly the Dodgers.”

Jason @ IIATMS
15 years ago

Except that he IS coming to NY.  Maybe it IS about the money after all?

MooseinOhio
15 years ago

Just curious but does the Yankees spending mass monies to lure CC and others make it just a wee bit hypocritical that they do not pony up some of the necessary funds to finish the new ballpark?

Jason @ IIATMS
15 years ago

From a Yanks fan: CC, if you really want to be in California, take whatever offer works for you and the Dodgers/Giants/Angels.  I’ll be bummed but I’ll totally respect the call.  I’m sure I’m not alone here.

Of course, there will be the chuckleheads to would be shocked that a player turned down the Yanks!

Mike Mariano
15 years ago

i love the fact that C.C. isn’t just running head first into the most lucrative deal.  the greed and power struggle in sports has become straining on the fans.  i would like to see a player courting more towards happiness and comfort than just milking every dollar he can out of his deal.

Craig Calcaterra
15 years ago

Only problem with that is that even if he takes the discount to play in San Francisco or wherever he feels is ideal, there is no real guarantee that they won’t try to ship him off again in a couple of years, and then he (a) isn’t where he wants to be; and (b) still is under market. 

I guess that means that if you’re Sabathia and you don’t want to go to New York, you pretty much have to insist on a no-trade clause.  Some teams will do them, some won’t.

Matt Ryan
15 years ago

I don’t understand why everyone is so shocked that CC doesn’t want to play in New York. He’s made it clear that he wants to play in the national league and on the west coast.  And to be honest, the difference between $20 Million/Y and $23 Million/Y isn’t that much (relatively speaking).  If it was about the money he would’ve jumped at the Yanks lucrative offer

alskor
15 years ago

“I don’t understand why everyone is so shocked that CC doesn’t want to play in New York.”

Of course. Why would anyone be surprised he doesnt want to jump on board a sinking ship? Here’s more breaking news: Mark Teixeira doesnt want to sign with the Astros! Stop the presses!

In all seriousness I cant imagine he really wants to have the pressure put on him to “save” the Yankees either.