CC Sabathia officially will be back with the Yankees next year. But that'll be it.
The 39-year-old, whose one-year deal with the Yankees was made official earlier Wednesday, said in a video on his verified Twitter account that the 2019 season will be his final one.
"This'll be it. Nineteen years," Sabathia said in the video, adding that he's "excited" to get to finish his career with the Yankees.
The left-hander has spent 10 seasons with the Yankees, going 129-80 with a 3.74 ERA. He ranks fourth in Yankees history in strikeouts (1,593), seventh in starts, 11th in wins and 12th in innings pitched (1,810 2/3).
A source told Newsday's Erik Boland on Tuesday that Sabathia's deal is worth $8 million.
The re-signing of Sabathia, who went 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts last season, does not mean general manager Cashman is done looking for starting pitching reinforcements. Far from it.
"Obviously we'd love to bring back CC back if we can," Cashman said Tuesday afternoon before news of an agreement with Sabathia broke. "And then add multiples past that."
Bringing back Sabathia gives the Yankees three for-sure members of their 2019 rotation, with the veteran joining Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka.
Sabathia, while saying he was open to playing elsewhere next season, made clear his preference to stay with the Yankees. The feeling was mutual as Sabathia, besides still showing the ability to be productive, is a clubhouse leader that younger pitchers and position players alike gravitate to.
Sabathia got off to a terrific start last season _ he was 6-3 with a 3.02 ERA after beating the Braves on July 4 _ but faded a bit down the stretch, going 3-4 with a 4.52 ERA over his last 13 starts. He took the loss in the deciding fourth game of the ALDS against the Red Sox when he allowed three runs over three innings of the 4-3 loss.
