The New York Yankees And Opt-Out Clauses

CC Sabathia signed an extension, essentially using the power of his opt-out. Are opt-outs harmful to teams, or just teams not in New York?

Let's Talk CC Sabathia Contract Extension Implications

Monday night, CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees agreed to a contract extension. What does this mean for the Yankees now, and down the road?

CC Sabathia Contract Details Continue To Emerge

It's time to give you everything you ever wanted to know about CC Sabathia's new contract extension with the New York Yankees, and then some! By which I mean, I have one more detail for you.

Sabathia gets a guaranteed $25 million in 2016, and then there's a $25 million vesting option for 2017. What are the conditions of that vesting option? They're fairly specific. From Joel Sherman:

Option killed if: end 2017 season on DL, spend more than 45 days on the DL in '16 with left shoulder injury[...] or make at least 6 relief apps in '16 due to shoulder issues

Basically, Sabathia's under contract with the Yankees in 2017 unless something goes wrong with his shoulder. There's nothing in there about his elbow, knees, or hips. Pitchers very commonly injure their elbows, knees and hips, but the Yankees aren't too concerned, or they are concerned but Sabathia's agent negotiated them off the table. Who knows!

The total guaranteed value of Sabathia's "new" contract is $122 million over five years. Sherman reports that the Yankees offered him $120.5 million over five years over the weekend, and slightly increased their offer Monday so that Sabathia wouldn't opt out. One is free to speculate over whether Sabathia cost himself by expressing such a strong desire to remain in New York. The likelihood, though, is that this is about as good as he could've done.

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees Agree To Contract Extension

Just a short while ago, it was announced that CC Sabathia would not opt out of his current contract with the New York Yankees. That was a bit of a surprise, because there were good reasons for Sabathia to exercise his right. But now we know he didn't opt out because he and the Yankees agreed to a one-year contract extension. Buster Olney:

Sabathia's contract extension - 1-year, $25 m. for 2016, and a $5 million buyout. Total guaranteed, five years, $122 m.. $25m option '17

Here's the easy breakdown.

• 2012-2015: $23 million per year, as per Sabathia's original contract
• 2016: $25 million
• $5 million buyout, OR:
• 2017: $25 million (vesting option)

Coming into the day, Sabathia was under contract for the next four years. Now he's under contract for the next five years, and possibly six if he remains effective. That's the big question, of course. In July 2016, Sabathia will turn 36 years old, and he's already put a lot of miles on his arm and his knees. But so far in his career, Sabathia's been one of the most durable pitchers in baseball, and the Yankees are banking on that keeping up.

This is a neat and tidy end to what had the potential to be a huge story. CC Sabathia, opting out and becoming a free agent? Holy smokes! Nope. Not happening. CC Sabathia's a New York Yankee, and he'll remain a New York Yankee for at least the next half-decade.

CC Sabathia Not Opting Out Of Contract With New York Yankees