TAMPA — If CC Sabathia were a high-end free agent these days he would be swallowing Xanax. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to worry about the slow market, because he signed a one-year deal for $10 million to remain a Yankee in December, long before the free-agent waters froze.
Yu Darvish signed a six-year deal worth $126 million with the Cubs, but Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb are playing the waiting game instead of long-tossing and throwing bullpen sessions in spring training.
Sabathia, when asked what would be going through his mind if he were in Arrieta’s situation today, was blunt.
“I would be panicking,” he said. “I don’t know him at all, but to see guys down at spring training and getting ready and things like that. If you have a family, you try and figure that stuff out because those things factor into how you pitch and play.”
Sabathia was a free agent following the 2017 season, in which he went 14-5 with a 3.69 ERA in 27 starts. He signed with the Yankees, on a one-year deal for $10 million with a chance to add $2 million, after talking to the Blue Jays and Angels.
Sabathia said he is surprised at the snail-like pace of free-agent signings.
“Everything was kind of moving slow for me too, but I have never seen what we are going through this year,’’ Sabathia said. “This is crazy. I was just happy to get mine done.’’
After rolling his left ankle during a fielding drill on Wednesday, Sabathia had it wrapped before long-tossing Thursday. On Friday, he plans to throw a bullpen session, but said he will lay off fielding drills for a couple of days.
“When I saw him do it there was concern,’’ new manager Aaron Boone said. “He checked out well. He was the first guy I checked in this morning and he kind of laughed it off.’’
Talent evaluators love Miguel Andujar’s bat and the way he plays the game, but some questions remain about the Yankees’ third base candidate’s defense.
They are questions Boone, a former third baseman, believes will be answered in a positive light.
“I think he has the skill set to be a major league third baseman,’’ Boone said of the soon-to-be 23-year-old Andujar, who last year went 4-for-7 in five big league games after hitting .312 for Double-A Trenton and .317 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “There is no question in my mind he will hit for a long time in this league, and defensively he will be really good at some point.’’