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http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NA...t_id=1030293&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle
Indians to announce Sabathia deal
Left-hander's contract extension will run through 2008
By Justice B. Hill / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- The Indians plan to announce today that they've added another piece to their core list of players with the signing of pitcher C.C. Sabathia to a contract extension through 2008.
"This signing has tremendous impact for this franchise and this city's sports fans," general manager Mark Shapiro said in a statement. "The Dolan family has consistently demonstrated that keeping our core players -- players like C.C. Sabathia, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez -- is essential for this organization's future.
"C.C. Sabathia is a special talent and special person, and we are very fortunate to have someone with his ability and character leading our organization into what we hope is the next championship era of Cleveland Indians baseball."
Following the signings of Hafner and Martinez in recent weeks, it became clear that the 24-year-old Sabathia, who had been seen as the ace of the pitching staff since right-hander Bartolo Colon was traded in 2002, was next in line.
The two-year extension is worth $17.75 million, according to The Associated Press.
Sabathia has been flirting with stardom since reaching the Majors in 2001. He won 17 games that first season, and he has had double-digit wins each year since. Last season, he made the American League All-Star team for the second time.
But his development as a top-line starter, some people have said, had been slowed because of a lack of fitness. His weight had been the main issue for most of the time he's been in the big leagues.
In the last offseason, Sabathia dedicated himself to a fitness regime that helped him lose more than 20 pounds. Despite an abdominal injury that delayed his season, Sabathia has looked as sharp as ever in his two starts this season.
With a 1-0 record this season, his 55 career victories are the most of any Major League pitcher under the age of 25. Last year, Sabathia became the youngest pitcher since Steve Avery in 1993 to post his 50th career win when he did it at 24 years, seven days old.
Justice B. Hill is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Indians to announce Sabathia deal
Left-hander's contract extension will run through 2008
By Justice B. Hill / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- The Indians plan to announce today that they've added another piece to their core list of players with the signing of pitcher C.C. Sabathia to a contract extension through 2008.
"This signing has tremendous impact for this franchise and this city's sports fans," general manager Mark Shapiro said in a statement. "The Dolan family has consistently demonstrated that keeping our core players -- players like C.C. Sabathia, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez -- is essential for this organization's future.
"C.C. Sabathia is a special talent and special person, and we are very fortunate to have someone with his ability and character leading our organization into what we hope is the next championship era of Cleveland Indians baseball."
Following the signings of Hafner and Martinez in recent weeks, it became clear that the 24-year-old Sabathia, who had been seen as the ace of the pitching staff since right-hander Bartolo Colon was traded in 2002, was next in line.
The two-year extension is worth $17.75 million, according to The Associated Press.
Sabathia has been flirting with stardom since reaching the Majors in 2001. He won 17 games that first season, and he has had double-digit wins each year since. Last season, he made the American League All-Star team for the second time.
But his development as a top-line starter, some people have said, had been slowed because of a lack of fitness. His weight had been the main issue for most of the time he's been in the big leagues.
In the last offseason, Sabathia dedicated himself to a fitness regime that helped him lose more than 20 pounds. Despite an abdominal injury that delayed his season, Sabathia has looked as sharp as ever in his two starts this season.
With a 1-0 record this season, his 55 career victories are the most of any Major League pitcher under the age of 25. Last year, Sabathia became the youngest pitcher since Steve Avery in 1993 to post his 50th career win when he did it at 24 years, seven days old.
Justice B. Hill is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
print this page
