Philadelphia Phillies: Affordable Rotation Options in Free Agency

C.C. Sabathia

Who better to add to the Phillies young rotation than a future Hall of Famer? If anyone can teach the Phillies how to pitch, from a veteran’s standpoint, it has to be C.C. Sabathia. The lefty has completely changed his style of pitching from a flamethrower to someone who paints corners with multiple pitches. And the change has worked for him.

Next season Sabathia will be turning 38 in July, but his new style of pitching allows him to stay near the top of his game. No Sabathia will never be the ace he was in Cleveland, Milwaukee, and his early years in New York. But he can still be a competent pitcher and help Nola and Eickhoff take the next step.

Last season Sabathia helped turn the Yankees into a playoff team. He finished the season with a 14-5 record and a 3.69 ERA while pitching half of his games in the little league park that is New Yankee Stadium. Not only did Sabathia prove he is still a good Major League pitcher, but he also proved he is still durable. C.C. finished the year with 148 1/3 innings pitched.

Sabathia is another guy who could benefit from the Phillies low payroll. Since he is in the twilight of his career I’m sure C.C. would take a one year deal if the Phillies just threw a lot of money at him. Kind of like what they did with A.J. Burnett a few years ago, just hopefully with better results.