Kamd50
02-14-2008, 12:22 PM
American League Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia announced on his Web site Wednesday night that he and his agents have broken off talks on a contract extension with the Indians until after the 2008 season. The team's pitchers and catchers report to spring training today in Winter Haven, Fla.
Here is the message from Sabathia that was posted late Wednesday:
"This off-season, through my representatives at Legacy Sports Group, I have discussed the possibility of a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. At this time, we haven't been able to reach agreement. Now that the reporting date for spring training is here, it is time to put aside contract discussions so that I can focus all of my energies and attention on preparing for the upcoming season.
"I look forward to a successful 2008 season, both for myself and for the Indians as a whole."
"I will do everything within my power to help the club to its first World Series appearance since 1997 and its first World Series Championship since 1948.
"There will be time after the season for the Indians and my representatives to discuss my contract status. I remain hopeful that these discussions will result in a contract extension that will keep me with the franchise for many years to come. In the meantime, in order to avoid any distractions, my representatives and I will not make any further comment about my contractual situation beyond this statement."
Sabathia will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season. Usually when a player goes unsigned in his free agent year, he's determined to test the waters. GM Mark Shapiro has said this winter that he will pursue Sabathia even after he files for free agency.
The Indians made a five-year offer, including a four-year extension, to Sabathia at the end of December. The deal included 2008, the final year of his current contract worth $11.25 million, and four new years. The four new years were believed to be worth between $17 million and $18 million a year.
When the Mets recently traded for Johan Santana and signed him to a six-year deal worth $123.1 million, the bar for Sabathia was raised. Santana's contract is worth an average of $20.5 million a year.
The main stumbling block in negotiations between the Tribe and Sabathia was length of contract.
Sabathia was 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last year. In 241 innings, he struck out 209 and walked 27. Sabathia and fellow 19-game winner Fausto Carmona helped the Indians tie Boston for the most victories in the regular season with 96 each. The Indians lost the ALCS to Boston in seven games.
The 290-pound left-hander is the Indians' first Cy Young winner since Gaylord Perry in 1972
Here is the message from Sabathia that was posted late Wednesday:
"This off-season, through my representatives at Legacy Sports Group, I have discussed the possibility of a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. At this time, we haven't been able to reach agreement. Now that the reporting date for spring training is here, it is time to put aside contract discussions so that I can focus all of my energies and attention on preparing for the upcoming season.
"I look forward to a successful 2008 season, both for myself and for the Indians as a whole."
"I will do everything within my power to help the club to its first World Series appearance since 1997 and its first World Series Championship since 1948.
"There will be time after the season for the Indians and my representatives to discuss my contract status. I remain hopeful that these discussions will result in a contract extension that will keep me with the franchise for many years to come. In the meantime, in order to avoid any distractions, my representatives and I will not make any further comment about my contractual situation beyond this statement."
Sabathia will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season. Usually when a player goes unsigned in his free agent year, he's determined to test the waters. GM Mark Shapiro has said this winter that he will pursue Sabathia even after he files for free agency.
The Indians made a five-year offer, including a four-year extension, to Sabathia at the end of December. The deal included 2008, the final year of his current contract worth $11.25 million, and four new years. The four new years were believed to be worth between $17 million and $18 million a year.
When the Mets recently traded for Johan Santana and signed him to a six-year deal worth $123.1 million, the bar for Sabathia was raised. Santana's contract is worth an average of $20.5 million a year.
The main stumbling block in negotiations between the Tribe and Sabathia was length of contract.
Sabathia was 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last year. In 241 innings, he struck out 209 and walked 27. Sabathia and fellow 19-game winner Fausto Carmona helped the Indians tie Boston for the most victories in the regular season with 96 each. The Indians lost the ALCS to Boston in seven games.
The 290-pound left-hander is the Indians' first Cy Young winner since Gaylord Perry in 1972