Fire Up the Hot Stove

Free agency is upon us, and here in Milwaukee, what everyone wants to know is whether or not CC Sabathia is going to re-sign with the Brewers.

Well, I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but there is virtually zero chance of that happening. The Brewers made an effort (half-hearted though), by extending Sabathia a reported five year deal worth $100M. That's not going to get the job done, considering the NY Post reported that the Yankees were prepared to offer CC more than the $137M the Mets gave Johan Santana before the 2008 season.

It's a pipe dream for anyone to think CC is going to turn that kind of money down. Yes, he enjoyed his Brewers experience, and yes, he made some close friends on the team, but here's why he will not return to the Brewers.

There's no guarantee that Sabathia will get a second bite at the free agent apple. There's a thought he might take a shorter deal with Milwaukee in order to try and win now, and then try to hit it big in free agency again. It's somewhat sound thinking, considering CC is only 28 years old. But, what happens if he gets hurt? Then there's no second bite at the apple, and taking $140M guaranteed now as opposed to $100M guaranteed now is the better way to go.

You also have to realize how much of a role the union will play in this. CC is the top free agent on the market. There will be consequences if he would leave money on the table. The union is about making money, not anything else. They would probably sanction Sabathia's agents if he didn't take the biggest contract offerred.

It'll be the biggest upset in the history of free agency if Sabathia returns to the Brewers. There's no other way to put it.

A couple of other free agent nuggets from Cheeseland:

* It appears as if Doug Melvin won't close the door on a Ben Sheets return via free agency. Memo to Doug. Please close the door. I was one of Sheets' biggest supporters, but the last injury was the last straw. You cannot afford to commit millions of dollars to a china doll. Simple as that.

* The Cubs traded for a new closer today. It appears as if Kerry Wood will be on the market. Considering the retirement of Salmon Torres, it might make sense for the Brewers to go after him (they pursued Wood last off-season). Buyer beware. Even though Wood was relatively healthy this year, he's still a big risk. There's no way to guarantee his health for 2009. Wood wants Eric Gagne type money ($10M). We saw how that worked out last season. The risk isn't worth the reward.

* If Sabathia leaves as a free agent, the Brewers, who recently picked up a big money option on his good friend Mike Cameron, will look to trade the strikeout prone centerfielder. Word is the Yankees have interest and would part with youngsters Melki Cabrera and Ian Kennedy. If that deal is on the table I'd do it. Cabrera has tremendous upside and has shown he can play on the big league level. Kennedy might thrive in a city like Milwaukee as opposed to the bright lights and media pressure of New York.