CC Sabathia Stops Agent from Cautioning Brewers

Brewers ace CC Sabathia -- awaiting his third successive start on three days rest next Sunday -- has told his agent to stop complaining to his team's front office about his arm being overused or injured, according to baseball commentator Peter Gammons in an interview on radio station 1050 am in New York.

"Don't call them anymore," Gammons quoted Sabathia as telling his representatives at Legend Sports Group. "I want to win."

And win he has, striking out 11 in seven innings in a 4-2 victory over the Pirates, bringing the Brewers into a tie with the Mets for a wild card berth with just four games left to play.

The Brewers will start Sabathia on three days rest again on Sunday to avoid having to pitch other struggling starters.

Sabathia's most recent outing was his second in a week, a pace that has prompted concern among his representatives that he may injure his arm and undermine his attempt to enter the free agent market to gain an unprecedented, six-year contract exceeding $15 million a year.

Rangers' Jarrod Saltalamacchia in Red Sox Future?

With veteran catcher Jason Veritek expected to look for a three- or four-year deal on the open market in the offseason, the Red Sox may need to replace him by building a bridge to prospects Mark Wagner or Luis Esposito -- who will not be major league ready for two or three more years.

Therefore, the team must find a place holder such as Jerrod Saltalamacchia of the Rangers or Mike Napoli of the Angels, according to Peter Gammons commenting during a Boston Globe question-and-answer session.

Either would be a bit of a comedown.

"Remember, the average production from the catching position per team as of this morning was a .251 ave. with 10 homers and 52 RBI. The 2005 Jason Varitek is not going to be out there," Gammons said.