We don't know who will be paying it, yet speculation from a couple of notable reporters says that Johan Santana will be signing a contract for around $25 million per season.

Most think the best fit for the Twins is the Yankees due to Melky Cabrera and pitching prospects coming back in a major trade. No matter whether it is the Yanks or Red Sox or Mets or some other team, Mr. Santana is about to become the richest pitcher in baseball history.

If, in fact, he signs that type of deal (five years, $125M or more), what does that mean for C.C. Sabathia?

Don't know. I used to think it would be better to trade C.C. now rather than during the season, but you know, you only get so many shots at a World Series title. I say keep him, offer him arbitration after next season so you get the draft picks when he signs somewhere else. I don't think the Indians would offer anymore than four years at $80M, and that probably isn't enough in years or money. But if the Tribe would sign him to five or six years and he would get hurt, it would set the franchise back years.

Be happy you had him, ride him, hopefully, to a championship and then wish him well.

The Indians can't have one player be more than 33 percent of the payroll or three (Hafner and Westbrook with C.C.) being more than 50 percent of the payroll.

It just doesn't work.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 30th, 2007 at 3:21 pm and is filed under Baseball, Indians. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.