Just a Matter of Time?

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Brian Cashman plans to meet with C.C. Sabathia in a face-to-face sit down next week as the GM meetings take place in Las Vegas (Dec. 8-11). While the exact date is not set, the lack of any substantial offer from a West Coast team has me thinking that this is a done deal.

The naysayers, succinctly integrated into the conversation via Tyler Kepner's piece in The New York Times, point to C.C.'s wife desire to stay on the West Coast and the quotes from his representation that suggest a deal of equal value from either the Giants, Dodgers, or Angels would ensure C.C. stay put in his native Vallejo, CA home. The big problem with that line of thinking is that the Yankees have no qualms throwing more and more millions on the pile.

The market is based on need. This year more so than ever. And every club out there is addressing their own needs by allocating whatever funds they can towards acquiring their big targets. The Yankees need Sabathia. The Giants have already spent 16 mill on their infield and bullpen. Two big needs for them. Giants GM Brian Sabean has already publicly withdrawn from the Sabbathia chase by stating "We're not actively out there swimming with the sharks". The Angels need
Texiera. Their GM has recently gone on record placing Mark Texiera as their number one priority. Really, the only other card player at the table is the Dodgers. And they seem just as overwhelmed by the pot as the two players who folded their hands already. Cashman seems ready to call, but he's also able to raise. I wouldn't want to be at that poker table either.

This Sabbathia drama really reminds me of a Brian Cashman quote I've been thinking about since he took exclusive control of the franchise in 2005. The minute I read it I understood why Brian Cashman was granted such power.

The last couple years, there were too many philosophies and at times they contradicted. We have had success despite that, but not the ultimate success. We have the most money, no secret about that. If we combine that with the best decision-making process on a consistent basis, God help the rest of baseball. Brian Cashman, 2005