Over the Winter, when C.C. Sabathia rejected Cleveland’s offer of 4 years at about 17-18 million a year, the consensus seemed to be, “well, yeah. he deserves to make more than Zito.” But does he?
Their numbers were very similar over their first 7 seasons. Barry Zito went 102-63 (62%), Sabathia 100-63 (61%). Zito struck out 1096, Sabathia 1142. Zito’s career ERA stood at 3.55, Sabathia’s at 3.83. Both left-handed and still in their twenties, they’d seem like pretty good investments.
Except Sabathia is fat. And if his girth is not enough, in itself, to question Sabathia’s longevity, how about the fact that he pitched over 250 innings last season ?! Look at Zito’s 6 year average of 225 innings a year, and maybe there’s a clue as to where those missing mph on his fastball went. 225 innings a year wore down Zito – athletic, surfing, zen and yoga practicing Zito. What do you think 250 innings did to bacon cheeseburger eating, Madden football-playing, 300+ pound C.C. Sabathia? Sabathia should have taken the Indians’ offer.
Other Notes from Wednesday’s Games
- Matt Kemp, aka the cutest Dodger, seems to have finally earned a starting job after getting a hit (or two) in every game in which he had at least 2 at bats. Too bad…I was rather hoping he’d struggle early, so I could steal him off some impatient owner who didn’t appreciate his potential or cuteness.
- Talk about helping your own cause: Carlos Zambrano pitched 7 innings and went 3 for 4 en route to a 12-3 victory over the Reds. Not to be outdone, Adam Wainwright pitched 7.2 innings and went 2 for 4 with a home run in a 5-4 win over the Brewers. If only that counted for anything in my fantasy league…
- Cla Meredith just destroyed my beautiful sub-1.00 whip for the week. But it’s worth it to see Tulowitzki get his first RBIs of the season.
- The Marlins (9-5) continue so suffer the delusion that they can both pitch and hit.
