Sabathia, 38, had another solid season for the Yankees in 2018, finishing with a 3.65 ERA and a 140/51 K/BB ratio in 153 innings. In his only postseason start, he gave up three runs in three innings to the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS.
The Yankees are supposedly on the hunt for plenty of starting pitching depth to back up Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka. The club may also trade Sonny Gray. For now, Sabathia will slot into the middle of the rotation.
The six-time All-Star has spent the last 10 seasons with the Yankees. He has also pitched for the Brewers and Indians during his 18-year career.
The Yankees are reportedly interested in re-signing veteran free agent J.A. Happ.
Happ might be tougher to resign because he could be looking for a three-year deal and I’m not sure the Yanks would be willing to offer him that considering he’ll be 36 next season. However, if they did offer him a two-year deal with a club option for a third year at around $13-14 million a season that could be enough to get him.
He took a cut in salary from $25 million in 2017 to $10 million in '18. An ejection in his final start of the regular season cost Sabathia a $500,000 bonus that he would have earned for reaching 155 innings pitched.
Cashman also is expected to pursue a group of free-agent pitchers that includes left-handers Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel.
New York already this offseason re-signed Brett Gardner, so keeping Sabathia maintains two veteran presences in the clubhouse.
"These are known commodities," Cashman said. "We know exactly who they are in that clubhouse, who they are dealing with our press and our fans, and obviously -- most importantly -- competing on the field of play."
2019 should be a milestone season for CC as he’s only 14 strikeouts shy of 3000 for his career and four wins shy of 250. As long as he stays healthy it’s a sure thing CC reaches those totals and it’s only right that he does so in a Yankee uniform.
