MVN: Most Valuable Network

If you're looking to bet that the Cubs are going to sign CC Sabathia, the San Francisco Chronicle has much tighter odds (8-1) than Ken Rosenthal (30-1):

A's (50 to 1): Hometown discount goes only so far.

Giants (10 to 1): At least his agent isn't Scott Boras.

Brewers (10 to 1): It's hard to imagine he was anything but a rental.

Cubs (8 to 1): Only if he wants to assure he'll never win a World Series ring.

Red Sox (5 to 1): Another championship would be a nice bargaining chip.

Yankees (4 to 1): The palace that is the new Yankee Stadium will be used to woo him.

Mets (4 to 1): Johan Santana has a $137.5 million contract. Would the Mets make it two lefties in a row?

Angels (3 to 1): They'll have plenty of money if they don't re-sign Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Garrett Anderson and Jon Garland.

Dodgers (5 to 2): He had a lot more fun pitching in the NL this year than the AL. It's no secret the Vallejo native would like to relocate to California - despite his comments last week that it doesn't matter (agent speak) - and the Dodgers have the money, upside and need to attract him.

The strategy, however, remains the same for the Cubs: Place a bet that will pay $240 million, sign Sabathia for $200 million and use the other $40 million to buy Fukudome out of his contract. It'll only cost the Cubs $8 million at the Rosenthal Casino, while it'll cost $30 million at the Chronicle Casino.

I guess it depends on where the Cubs are staying and how far they want to walk to place the bet.

Labels: C.C. Sabathia, Chicago Cubs, Cubs Rumor Mill