myPRfeed

The word on the street is that the New York Yankees are offering free agent hurler C.C. Sabathia a record contract for MLB pitchers.  Opposed to the five season $100 million contract offered by the Milwaukee Brewers, New York is proposing $140 million over six years.  Already the move is controversial.  Milwaukee’s GM Doug Melvin has accused the Yankees of overbidding, while other critics have pointed out that long term deals rarely work out for pitchers.  In the recent case of San Francisco Giant Barry Zito, a top paid pitcher has caved under pressure and made it obvious that he would give anything to return to form.  Because record contracts have doomed once famous pitchers, a series of questions should be asked of those in charge of CC Sabathia’s image…

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why do record contracts tend to create more pressure for professional baseball players?  Is this simply pressure they put on themselves, or do other people contribute to the stress?

2.  Would you recommend that Sabathia sign a larger contract for a team he doesn’t really want to join?

3.  Assuming that Sabathia signs with the Yankees, what would you, as his PR agent, do to protect his image?  What might you do if he lacks the productivity expected of a top earning hurler?