David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a C.C. Sabathia rumor:
The figure I’m hearing that Milwaukee might offer C.C. $100 million for four years. They’re hoping that by going with fewer years and more per year, they can keep him. He’s indicated to friends a serious interest in staying there, he liked it so much. The Brewers might help their chances of signing him if they pick up the option on Mike Cameron, who’s a good friend of CC’s.
With Cameron, the Brewers figure to have over $70MM committed (not including Chris Capuano). It’s hard to see the Brewers backloading an already huge $25MM salary to Sabathia, so they’d probably have to take payroll to the mid $90MM range to fit him in. Keeping Cameron and Sabathia would seem to limit roster construction – it could necessitate a Prince Fielder or J.J. Hardy trade, or leave little money for third base or the bullpen.