WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -One thing’s for sure about C.C. Sabathia’s long-term future with the Indians: It’s up in the air.
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said Thursday that he doesn’t expect to have any talks with the Cy Young winner until the 2008 season is over.
He was reacting to a message Sabathia posted said on his Web site Wednesday night that said he and his agents have broken off negotiations on a contract extension with the club.
“The door is open, but I would say it’s very unlikely we’ll talk at any point before the end of the season,” Shapiro told reporters at the Indians’ spring training complex. “There’s not enough common ground.”
The Indians recently offered Sabathia, who is eligible for free agency after the season, a four-year extension believed to be worth $17 million to $18 million per year. But if they want to keep the left-hander, the Indians may have to approach the six-year, $137.5 million contract the New York Mets gave Johan Santana after his recent trade from Minnesota.
innings in 2007, becoming Cleveland’s first Cy Young winner since Gaylord Perry in 1972. He’s expected to again anchor the pitching staff and is in for a huge payday if he hits the free agent market.
The Indians will likely make another offer, but Shapiro said he knows the club will be competing with teams that have bigger payrolls.
In spring training last season, the Indians signed pitcher Jake Westbrook to an extension and laid the groundwork for a new deal for DH Travis Hafner, which was signed in July. Shapiro was hopeful something similar would happen in this camp with Sabathia.
“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,” Sabathia said in the message on his Web site.
Sabathia also said that he wants to remain with the Indians – the only Major League team for which he’s played – for years to come.
Indians manager Eric Wedge doesn’t think the contract situation will distract Sabathia.
“C.C. does a good job of separating. That’s the business side of the game,” Wedge said. “He’s come a long way in his ability to handle things.”
Indians pitchers and catchers will undergo physicals Friday and will work out for the first time Saturday.
A total of 31 pitchers, including 10 non-roster invitees, are in camp. Position players are due in camp on Feb. 19 with the first full squad workout on Feb. 21.
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