CC Sabathia has begun his first season as the highest-paid pitcher ever in much the same fashion he began his push toward free agency last season. But both Sabathia and the Yankees will be thrilled if history continues to repeat itself.
Sabathia labored through another inconsistent start Wednesday, squandering a pair of leads and allowing seven runs (six earned) and walking four while striking out just two over 6 2/3 innings in the Yankees' 14-inning win over the Athletics. It was the third time in four outings Sabathia has recorded more walks than strikeouts. Overall, Sabathia is 1-1 with a 4.81 ERA, 14 walks and 12 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings. While it's easy to think Sabathia may be pressuring himself to live up to the seven-year, $161 million deal he signed with the Yankees in December, he said his struggles are simply a matter of aggression, or lack thereof.
"I think I'm just trying to be too fine early in the count, and it makes me get behind," Sabathia said Wednesday. "I'm throwing to corners instead of just attacking guys and going right after them with the first pitch."
Sabathia opened last season by going 0-3 in his first four starts with a sky-high 13.50 ERA, 14 walks and 14 strikeouts in 18 innings. He bounced back, though, going 17-7 the rest of the way for the Indians and Brewers (to whom he was traded in July) with a 1.88 ERA and a brilliant strikeout-to-walk ratio of 237-to-45 in 235 innings. He ended up leading the majors in innings, complete games (10) and shutouts (five) and ranked second in strikeouts.
Sabathia is confident it's just a matter of time before he settles in and begins to pitch to his capabilities.
"I'm pretty comfortable," Sabathia said. "It's just a matter of me finding a groove and throwing the ball over the plate."
