CC Sabathia’s playing days are over, but he may not be done with Major League Baseball. He is now a TV free agent and is fielding offers.
Last season, Sabathia worked for ESPN on a part-time basis as his playing days were winding down. He made appearances on Get Up!, First Take, and Baseball Tonight.
“CC is looking at a variety of different opportunities. CC certainly appreciated the relationship that he had with ESPN this past season,” Sabathia’s agent, Mark Lepselter, told Front Office Sports. “It allowed him to start the transition into the broadcasting world. We’re just looking at a variety of different things with ESPN – and other outlets – and seeing where it all goes.”
ESPN did not comment on any negotiations with Sabathia. Sources told Front Office Sports that the network is interested in bringing back the former Cy Young winner if a deal can be worked out. Industry sources have also said that ESPN could be competing with FOX, TBS, and the YES Network to get a deal done.
While Sabathia is certainly interested in broadcasting, it is not the only route for his future that he has discussed publicly. In May he told Andrew Marchand of The New York Post that he would be interested in a role in the Yankees’ from office.
He also said that his broadcasting future won’t include any jackets or ties.
“I’m not wearing a suit,” Sabathia told the Post. “Why do I need to wear a suit to talk about baseball? It is f–king stupid to wear a suit. Guys on the field aren’t wearing dress clothes. People in the stands aren’t wearing dress clothes. It makes no sense. If they let me go up there in a Jordan sweatsuit, I’ll do games all day”
I could see him staying on the East Coast with either MLB network or ESPN. If he stayed in NYC he could do all the morning show on ESPN that are based in NYC.