Is Cleveland Indians' Pitcher C.C. Sabathia on His Way Out of Cleveland?

C.C. Sabathia is pitching his way into possibly being the American League's starter in the All-Star Game on July 10th in San Francisco. He could also be pitching his way out of Cleveland.

Sabathia has spent his entire career within the Indians organization, since he was drafted in the first round (20th pick) in 1998. He can become a free agent after 2008 and with the way he has been pitching, he will become one of the hottest free agents that off-season.

It is great to see him finally develop as the ace of the Tribe's pitching staff, and it would be equally awesome to have him be the starter in the All-Star Game (it's a close race between three guys as of right now: John Lackey of the LA Angels, Josh Beckett of the Red Sox, and Sabathia - but we can't forget about Fausto Carmona, either). I just hope that when the end of 2008 rolls around, the Tribe rewards C.C.'s dedication to one team with a big contract.

I'm not gonna lie; it would make me projectile vomit for weeks if I saw him in a Yankees or Red Sox uniform. In order to prevent this travesty from occurring, the Indians need to offer him a deal that will keep him in Cleveland. Unfortunately, that will be Barry Zito money, and that is something the Indians claim they cannot offer to anybody - ever. If the management of the team cannot at least offer something respectable to Sabathia, then I suppose I can't be mad at him for going to where the money is. I just don't know if I can deal with having my heart broken again (damn you Jim Thome, damn you)...

Travis Hafner is another potentially large free agent in the next few years. It baffles me as to how the Indians expect to sign both of these players, but I just hope it can be done. If it did come down to one or the other, though, the obvious choice would be Sabathia. I love Pronk, but strong pitching will always win a championship over hitting. Blah, blah, you've probably heard that one a thousand times (although it is painstakingly true).