Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabthia is set to make 23 million dollars annually through 2015. However, his contract allows for him to opt out after the 2011 season, leaving it open to the possibility that he may be heading to the free agent market next offseason.
There are two sides to this debate. One, Sabathia doesn't opt out. After combining to go 40-15 with a 3.27 ERA in his first two seasons as a Yankee, he probably could line up himself up for a raise, but why? What is the difference between 23 million and 25 million. The way I see it, there isn't a whole lot you can't do with 23 million dollars that you can do with 25 million dollars.... just something to consider.
The other is that C.C. opts out and actively seeks another job that will pay him more than the 23 million he will make in New York. He may be crazy enough to do it, but that doesn't mean he will necessarily be successful.