"Giants must appeal to Sabathia's heart, not wallet"

BRUCE JENKINS MAKES A GREAT ARGUMENT FOR SABATHIA.

Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle Sports Columnist

Friday, December 5, 2008

(12-05) 17:27 PST -- The Giants aren't going to compete with the Yankees' offer for CC Sabathia, nor should they. They're playing a hand called logic, with a side of sentiment. Sabathia just might be that rare individual who truly appreciates the value of lifestyle.

Sabathia's idea of bliss isn't the madness of New York City, or a relentless press corps hounding him at every turn. He prefers the serenity of Fairfield, his hometown, and more down-to-earth pursuits. As an anxious public awaits his decision on the free-agent market, sources keep hinting that Sabathia's deep-down preference is the Giants.

Then for heaven's sake, man, just pull the trigger. What could be sweeter than pleasing your family (a wife and two kids), playing in a spacious ballpark, playing in a DH-free league (the man loves to hit) and joining a team that just might become a favorite in its division?

If there's a constant to the free-agent mind-set in all sports, it's that money counts above all. Terrible city? Lousy team? Yanking your kids out of a cherished school system? "That's cool," says the athlete as he poses for photographers with his agent. "I've got the most coin."

What a monumentally lame way to conduct your life. Financial concerns are paramount for those of us in the real world, but not for someone who (a) already is a multi-millionaire and (b) was just offered five years for more than $100 million. That's a ballpark estimate of how far the Giants might go for Sabathia. It sad to think he'd join the parade of mindless sheep, accepting the Yankees' package (a reported six years at $140 million) for the sake of bragging rights.

Some would question the wisdom of the Giants' interest. Didn't they learn from the Barry Zito experience that it's risky to sign any pitcher to a conspicuously long-term deal? Shouldn't they be chasing down a power hitter? Don't they already have a chance to possess the best starting rotation in the NL West?

For one thing, this isn't Zito, whose career downturn already had begun in Oakland. Sabathia is at the peak of his game, durable and reliable and exceptional in the clutch. All of the available power hitters carry some annoying baggage, ranging from poor defense to absurd contract demands to "curveball, strike three." There's always the chance Sabathia has placed excessive strain on his arm, but as we view him today, in his pristine state, his value is absolutely unassailable.

Even if the Dodgers retain Manny Ramirez and the Diamondbacks' young players rise to their potential, Sabathia makes the Giants a serious postseason threat (Sabathia and Tim Lincecum in the first two games? That series is over). He gives them an identity, a reason to win back some disgruntled fans. More than anything, he'd make the Giants matter - and if you know anything about club President Larry Baer, that's more important than oxygen.

The suggestion from here: Make the most ostentatious offer the budget will allow, and don't worry about the Yankees. Play upon one of Sabathia's finest attributes: common sense.