CC Sabathia is about to be on the clock.
The Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS last night means Sabathia’s season is over. The ace left-hander’s next move will be to decide whether to opt out of his seven-year, $161 million contract once the postseason ends, but after the game he was non-commital about his future.
“I hadn’t planned on us losing in the first round. I hadn’t really even thought about it or made any decisions or anything like that,” Sabathia said. “I don’t know.”
Asked if he could picture a situation in which he does not return, Sabathia said, “I can’t wrap my head around that right now.”
PHOTOS: ALDS GAME 5: TIGERS 3, YANKEES 2
Sabathia is expected to opt out of the contract, unless he and the Yankees decide to agree to an extension beforehand. Sabathia has four years at $23 million annually remaining on his contract. The 31-year-old almost assuredly would receive larger offers on the open market.
Sabathia is from California, but he, his wife and their four children live year-round in New Jersey. How much would that factor into his decision?
“A lot,” he said. “My family. Everything that matters. Just have to wait and see.”
He said he would decide in a few days.
It seems hard to believe the Yankees would let Sabathia go, even if he does opt out of his contract. He’s their best starter, he’s still relatively young and they can out-bid anybody. Nevertheless, his return is not guaranteed.
“He’s our ace,” general manager Brian Cashman said when asked where Sabathia was on the priority list. “So he ranks highly.”
Sabathia, who pitched three times in the ALDS over a span of seven days, made his first career relief appearance last night, allowing a run in 1 1/3 innings and throwing 37 pitches while working on two days’ rest.
He started Game 3 in Detroit, throwing 106 pitches in 5 1/3 innings. He also started Game 1 last Friday night in The Bronx, throwing 27 pitches over two innings.
Sabathia is certainly happy in New York.
“I love it here,” he said. “There’s nothing like pitching in pinstripes. There’s nothing like pitching in front of the fans in The Bronx. I’ve had a great experience.”