Toronto Blue Jays: No Chance CC Sabathia Ends up in Toronto

While the Toronto Blue Jays sent a scout to watch CC Sabathia’s most recent start, don’t bet on him ending up plying his trade in Southern Ontario.

With the non-waiver trade deadline nearly here, the Toronto Blue Jays continue to explore all possible avenues, in their attempt to find a starting pitcher. Somewhat surprisingly, this includes keeping tabs on CC Sabathia.

As reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Blue Jays sent a scout to watch Sabathia’s most recent start, on Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched well enough, although a couple of seventh-inning runs put the game out of reach.

Understandably. the mere mention of the New York Yankees’ pitcher conjures up enticing highlights of his achievements. However, this is not the same player who won the AL Cy Young Award in 2007 – heck, it’s not even the same player who was voted to the last of his six All-Star appearance in 2012.

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Unfortunately for Sabathia, a turn in his fortunes coincided with arthroscopic surgery at the conclusion of the 2012 campaign, to remove a bone spur from his left elbow. The following year saw him having to rely more on location, due to a decrease in his velocity.

The Vallejo, California native’s 2013 season was brought to a premature end, due to a strained hamstring, and he finished with the worst ERA of his career. His offseason was even more tumultuous, as his cousin died of heart disease, resulting in him going on a crash diet and losing 40 lbs in weight.

Things continued to go downhill for Sabathia, as ongoing right knee trouble led to the possibility of microfracture surgery, which could have potentially ended his career. Ultimately, this was not necessary, and all he had to contend with was setting another career-worst ERA, this time surpassing 5.0 for the first time as a professional.

Since then, the 2009 World Series champion has gradually improved, but he’ll never return to the form which convinced the Yankees to give him a seven-year, $161 million contract. In truth, it is the money aspect alone, which makes it seem like a terrible idea for the Blue Jays to even contemplate trading for him.

Sabathia is currently earning $25 million this year and could make the same amount in 2017, as a priced vesting option. This figure will be triggered, as long as he doesn’t finish the current campaign with a shoulder injury.

Even if the Yankees offer to pay a portion of the 2009 ALCS MVP’s salary, it just doesn’t seem to be particularly appealing for the Blue Jays (maybe with the exception of New York picking up a considerable amount of the money owed. Maybe). Throw in the fact he has just turned 36, and overall, virtually nothing about this situation is conceivable enough to believe general manager Ross Atkins will actually make a move for him.

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Regardless of what we think, what do you personally think are the chances of Sabathia ending up in Toronto? Further, do you even WANT to see the pitcher in a Blue Jays’ jersey? Let us know in the comments section below.