Indians 6, Reds 0 (Box)
It can’t be easy for Cleveland’s Cy Young winner. Every time you pick up a sports section, turn on ESPN, or jump on the internet you see rumors flying around about where C.C. will finish the season. (More on that in a minute.) Sabathia himself admitted it was getting to him a little yesterday-
“I don’t even turn on the TV unless I’m watching MTV or something,” he said. “I stay away from that. Hopefully, I can finish the year here. We’ll see.”
He sure looked focused on the mound. Ask the Cincinnati outfielders-
“He threw the ball well,” said Griffey, who fanned with two on to end the eighth. “He had everything working.”
“We see him only once or twice a year, but it’s the best I’ve seen him throw,” Dunn said. “He was spotting every pitch and wasn’t missing much. When he did miss, it was 97.
“You’re not guaranteed to get a heater because he has such confidence in his other pitches. You have to look heater because it’s 97, but when he’s dropping the slider and curve ball in for strikes, he’s obviously very good.”
Sabathia struck out 11 Reds in his 8 innings of work. The only ‘trouble’ he pitched out of were in the 1st and 8th innings. Those were the only times a runner found second base. Both times he struck out the final out of the inning. He allowed 4 hits, all singles, and walked 2. In a word, he was dominant.
We have tried our best to direct you to the current rumors and reports about Sabathia’s situation. In fact, there are more than 8 posts here at WFNY following the situation. We do it not because we want to see Sabathia go, or because it’s a foregone conclusion that he is going, but because like you we want to stay on top of the situation. If you listen to what Sabathia says, then it would appear that he honestly would rather just stay in Cleveland. Not just this year, but beyond. And is that really so hard to believe? Could it be possible that a California kid would choose the shores or Lake Erie, all things being equal?
I get so tired of seeing reports or blatant rumors that depict life in Northern Ohio as being so terrible that no reasonable person would choose to stay here. You’ve read the same garbage I have, how Sabathia or LeBron must be counting the seconds until they can ‘escape’ Cleveland and go wherever. With Sabathia I believe that he would like to stay. I also understand why he would choose to leave if he does. Sabathia is looking for a deal in the neighborhood of $25 million a year, for 6 years. That type of contract is what Santana, Zito and Zambrano have established for a top of the line starter. The Indians are willing to pay Sabathia around that type of money, but do not want to invest it past 4 years. Why not? Well, Barry Zito, (forget the start against the Indians this week) Carl Pavano, Pedro Martinez…or even Travis Hafner. All received the big payday, and all have struggled for one reason or another since getting the deal.
If Sabathia decides that he will not sacrifice the security of those extra 2 years, then he will go elsewhere. If the Indians decide that they can’t tie up that kind of money long-term, then they will trade Sabathia to get something in return. It really has nothing to do with whether or not C.C. likes Cleveland. And don’t get me started on LeBron.
Dennis Manoloff, Plain Dealer
