New York Yankees: CC Sabathia’s options this offseason
By Alex Mazer
Retirement
Look, I don’t want to see this happen either, but since it’s on the table for the 37-year old injury-ridden workhorse, I put it first to get it out of the way.
It is no secret that CC has had to reinvent himself of late to accommodate for dying fastball velocity and aches and pains, all byproducts of Father Time.
Since 2010, the decline has been swift. With the exception of 2014, where CC only made eight starts due to a degenerative condition in the cartilage in his right knee, these are Sabathia’s innings pitched totals through last season:
237.2 IP; 237.1 IP; 200.0 IP; 211.0 IP; 167.1 IP; 179.2 IP; 148.2 IP.
When CC has been on the mound, he has been effective, but if the trend continues, CC may not be able to stay healthy enough to maintain a permanent rotation spot on a competing club.
Plus, with CC tossing another 19 total innings this postseason — his first October action since 2012 — it is realistic to expect that we see the ramifications of that extra work come April.
Finishing the season one win shy of a World Series berth may not be what CC imagined as “finishing on top,” but it may be time for him to cut his losses and nurse those aging knees.
It’s painful watching hitters continue to test CC’s slow step off the mound with bunt attempts.