How To Bailout The Economy? Have Boras & The Yanks Do It!

If the economy is really in as much trouble as we are led to believe, then either Scott Boras and the Yankees (among others in baseball and sports in general) are immune to it, don’t care, or they know something we don’t. Case in point? Yesterday C.C. Sabathia signed a deal that will pay him $23 million a year with the Yanks. If he plays out the entire 7 years (he can opt out after 3, which reportedly sealed the deal) he will make $161 million. Let me say this much now, based on both the last 2 years and his career: HE IS NOT WORTH THAT MUCH. Naysayers will point to his 11-2 mark in Milwaukee last year. However, guess what his record pre-trade was? 6-8.  Pre-trade his career numbers are 106-71 with an ERA fairly close to 4.00-that’s about average. And he’s going to the ultimate sports pressure cooker-NY. Although if it helps him sweat some pounds off that 290-300 pound figure of his, it might work. But I see this as typical Yankee overpayment. Yes, Boss Steinbrenner wants the best players and to win every year. That’s why the Yanks are the Yanks. But Sabathia is not worth $161 million over  years. Maybe $100 million but not $161. He certianly isn’t worth just $2 million a year less than Alex Rodriguez, who despite lack of playoff success consistently justifies what he earns. But we all know that Boras is an agent who will milk teams for every last cent. And before you point out that my Nationals are likely to be the highest bidder for Mark Teixeira ($160 million over 8 years)…they’re not getting him. And if they do? He’s gone by the next season’s trade deadline. Nats management will dump him for cheap prospects because our GM always wants “Pitching Pitching Pitching Pitching PITCH-ING!” But back on subject, the downside to these guys getting more money is it likely comes out of our pocket. Higher slaries mean higher operating costs which ultimately mean higher ticket prices paid by fans. But since these athletes seemingly have so much money to burn, why can’t they pool their resources, give back a little, and help bail us out? I decided to ask a few prominent sports personalities to see what they thought…

Reply from a Mr. D.R.: Next Question.

Reply from a Mr. T.O.: It’s really unfair. It’s really unfair!

Reply from a Mr. N.C.: Pay The Man, Shirley. ($1.25 richer)

Reply from a Mr. A.I.: Practice? Practice? We’re Talking About Practice!

Reply from a Mr. D.W.: (Too many bleeps to post)

Reply from a Mr. S.G.: BRETT FAVRE.

Reply from a Mr. P.W.: They Went All-In With That Junk? They Forgot One Important Thing…I Can Dodge Bullets, Baby!

I attempted to ask this to a Mr. M.T. as well but politely backed off after understanding he was in a, well, biting mood. Oh well, was worth a try. Guess I’ll just have to get in line to ask Mr. G.B. like everyone else. Also asked the preeminent authority on such things, Mr. T.K, what he thought, but I”m not good at translating “penguin dances” into words. (Yes, all those quotes above were said by them at one point or another. Just put them in there to add some humor to the rant)