As New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia closes in on his 38th birthday, the veteran southpaw doesn’t have any plans to step away just yet from the game he loves.
Sabathia has enjoyed a stellar 2018 season, especially given he is the third-oldest pitcher in the majors. In 18 starts this season, he has recorded a 3.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and struck out 77 batters in 100 innings.
According to MLB.com, Sabathia has made it clear he would like to return for the 2019 season if he stays healthy. He landed on the 10-day disabled list earlier this season with a hip strain and his knee remains a persistent problem for him. Despite it all, he would like to return in 2019 for one final ride in the majors.
“I’m (going) start to start,” Sabathia said, via MLB.com. “I go out one start and feel like I can pitch five more years. I go out another start and I’m (feeling) done. But if I can stay healthy — if my knee holds up — hopefully I’ll play one more.”
After making his MLB debut in 2001 with the Cleveland Indians, the lefty has proven himself to be one of the best pitchers in baseball since he was called up. Along the way, he has won a World Series ring, a Cy Young award and been named to the All-Star Game six times.
If Sabathia does return for the 2019 season, he should easily reach the historic 3,000-strikeout mark in his career. He is just 67 strikeouts shy of becoming the 17th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000-plus strikeouts in a career.
Based off how he has performed this season and given the chance to be part of history, there should be plenty of teams interested in signing Sabathia next offseason.