Last winter, the Yankees sat in horror as prized free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee said "thanks, but no thanks" to their megadeal worth a reported $140 million and instead accepted a lesser contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
If that was a staggering shot to a proud organization, the Rangers now want to deliver a knockout blow.
CC Sabathia, still one of the best pitchers in baseball, has an opt-out clause in his contract that will allow him to enter free agency this winter if he so chooses. Doing so would be wise, as despite his $23 million annual salary through 2015, he could likely fetch a higher salary on the open market and add another year or two to the length of the deal.
One team that is waiting with bated breath is the Texas Rangers.
Nolan Ryan's team is preparing to "throw a boatload of money" at Sabathia, according to ESPN.com.
The thought, for now, remains a pie-in-the-sky scenario for Texas, as the big lefty has said on the record that he'd like to stay in New York. It's always funny, though, how money tends to change the way these athletes' feelings in a hurry. There was once a man named Johnny Damon who said "there's no way" he could ever play for the Yankees just a few months before he, you know, played with the Yankees.
For now, the Rangers, up 3-2 in their ALCS with Detroit, will try to win the 2011 World Series. After that, it looks like it'll be all CC all the time. Yankee fans — and haters — will be watching closely.
Photo of the day
Imagine if the best available pitcher spurned New York two years in a row.
Quote of the day
"It's taken me four games to realize what I need to do. I don't know if y'all still call me 'The Beast' or if you consider me washed up. I consider myself 'The Monster' now."
–Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, who said he plans to be kicked out of Monday night's game against the Jets for his behavior
Tweet of the day
Kobe Bryant is reportedly heading to Italy to play basketball. Some hope he stays there.
Video of the day
In honor of Tim Tebow becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL, here's a video of a guy in a weird Florida shirt throwing a flying disc into a barrel.
