Thoughts on the Sabathia Interview on His Contract Issues
I thought it was an interesting decision yesterday for C.C. to come out and discuss his contract for what he says will be the one and only time in the 2008 season. One would think that the local media up here in Cleveland are going to want to grill him about it, so I would not doubt that he’ll have to talk about it again once the team makes it way back to Progressive Field for opening day March, 31st.
As for the interview yesterday, I would totally say take the 12-13 minutes and check it out. C.C. has always been a pretty good interview, but really for the past 2-3 seasons he has matured so much that he is able to control the reporters with ease. With him being a very approachable player that usually never turns down an interview, I thought yesterdays speech was somewhat tense with him laying down the law to the reporters.
He claims that he and the Indians have no “common ground” for a new deal, which to me means that they are worlds apart on what C.C. thinks he’s worth, and what the Indians are willing to pay. He also says that even if the Tribe hands him a better proposal at somepoint this season, he won’t even look at it and does not want to know about it. Wow. Sounds like despite him not coming out and saying it, he feels dissed by the team that drafted him many moons ago.
Take a listen for yourself, but I can tell you from experience that yesterday was not an easy day for C.C. and it sounds as if he is a lame duck player that knows that this will be his last season with the team that drafted him. Also there are some links of stories below about the interview yesterday.
Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia not interested in hearing about contract negotiations
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
