Tribe ponders signing Sabathia past 2008

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The contract for the Tribe's lefthanded starter expires after next season.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — C.C. Sabathia spent the offseason digesting some big numbers.

The eye-popping contracts that free agent pitchers Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt received made Cleveland's top starter take notice.

"The market was great for pitching this time," Sabathia said. "We'll see how it goes the next couple of years."

Sabathia won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2008 season, but Indians general manager Mark Shapiro is talking with the left-hander's agents about a new contract.

The Indians would prefer to have a deal done by the end of spring training. Signing him won't come cheap.

Sabathia has been mainstay of the Indians' rotation since 2001, after the former first-round pick soared through their farm system.

Riches await

With a career record of 81-56, his .591 winning percentage ranks with Zito's (.585) and Schmidt's (.591). Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with San Francisco and Schmidt received a three-year, $46 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason.

Considering Sabathia will be only 28 in 2008, if he keeps up that performance level several teams could be willing to spend big money to get him.

"I hope I can stay healthy the next couple years and be in the position those other guys were in this winter," Sabathia said.

The Indians' front office will be facing some other difficult financial decisions in the upcoming months.

Right-hander Jake Westbrook, 44-34 the last three years, can become a free agent after the season. Designated hitter Travis Hafner, who hit 42 homers with 117 RBIs last season despite missing the last 29 games with a broken hand, can be a free agent after next season.

Considering the Indians' status as a mid-market team, signing all three would seem unlikely.

"That doesn't mean we wouldn't be able to get something done in the offseason with any of the three or next year with C.C. and Travis," Shapiro said.

Shapiro has talked to agents for Westbrook and Hafner. It's been Shapiro's policy to suspend contract talks if a deal can't be completed during spring training.

"I haven't heard anything," Sabathia said.

"That's between my agents [Brian Peters and Scott Parker] and Mark. It's two years away. I want to come out and stay healthy and help the team win games. That's all I care about now."

Notes

Manager Eric Wedge isn't sure when OF Trot Nixon will play in an exhibition game. Nixon had back surgery in December. ... Hafner and OF Jason Michaels homered in Tuesday's intra-squad game. Hafner, who had been limited to DH duties because of a sore elbow, played first base. The Indians will hold another intra-squad game today. Sabathia, RHPs Rafael Betancourt, Jason Davis, Fernando Cabrera and Matt Miller and LHP Aaron Fultz are among the scheduled pitchers. ... Westbrook will start the exhibition opener against Houston Thursday.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007