His problem has been his nonexistant command... I'm not convinced that command problems in April have anything to do with last year's work load.

Maybe the contract pressure is getting to him, but I don't think we're seeing anything from Sabathia that we haven't seen before -- except for last season. He seems to have a history of really bad stretches that last a month or so, and also having games like the one last night where he gets hit over and over again early and then just gives up (the infamous Cubs game when he got ripped for admitting after the game that he "gave up"). The problems just stand out more when it's the start of the season and he's coming off a Cy Young season.

I remember his problem a couple of years ago was that he had fallen into the habit of tipping his pitches for a 7-8 game stretch. That's certainly not something I'd know enough about to speak on anyway, but I haven't had the chance to really sit down and observe any of his games. I suspect his slurve is just useless right now and hitters are sitting on his fastball.

Even in his worst struggles though, Sabathia has never posted a double-digit ERA for an entire month (or even a 9.00+). So if he doesn't show any signs of life in his next two starts, I'll officially be worried.

Then again, if several other players on the team don't start showing signs of life, too, Sabathia will either be driving down his contract price or getting dealt for prospects by mid-season.

*

(btw, welcome back Ernie)

# of edits: 1
Last edited: April 17, 2008 01:13 PM