New York Yankees spring training is almost here, and manager Joe Girardi has a lot of crucial decisions to make. For the first time in a long time, Girardi has to really evaluate former Cy Young Award winner, CC Sabathia.

According to ESPN, Masahiro Tanaka, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino are already part of the starting five rotation for 2016. There's no surprise in that given the talent and proven abilities of those four starters, but one big question still remains: what will happen with Sabathia? It looks like the 35-year-old veteran pitcher will duke it out with 29-year-old Dominican-born Ivan Nova for the fifth spot.

Both Nova and Sabathia didn't do themselves many favors last year. Sabathia posted a 4.73 earned run against average and had just a 6-10 record on the mound as a starter. Sabathia started 29 games for the Bronx Bombers last year and suffered from knee problems that caused issues throughout the season. Unfortunately, Nova wasn't much more impressive, if at all. Nova also had injuries that halted his success, and he was temporarily taken out of the starting rotation. Nova finished 2015 with a mediocre 6-11 record and a 5.07 ERA in his 17 starts.

Because the Yankees and Nova were able to avoid arbitration, Nova has one year remaining on his contract with the Yankees in which he is scheduled to make $4.1 million. As for Sabathia, his contract is obviously much larger. Sabathia still has two years, $50 million remaining on his contract. Don't forget, in 2011 general manager Brian Cashman agreed to give Sabathia an addition one year extension on his original seven year contract.

There's been no sign of either player being cut, so it looks like both Nova and Sabathia will simply have to compete for the fifth spot.

Sabathia may have less pressure on him given the fact that he is older, more established, and he does have two years left on his contract. While many fans firmly believe Sabathia is "washed up," Sabathia thinks changes to his lifestyle following a stint in rehab will have a profound impact on this upcoming season. "It was just time. I woke up on that Sunday morning in Baltimore and there was no other option for me but to get help," Sabathia said. "I feel the best I have in three years. I am excited to get to Tampa with a clear head and a healthy body," Sabathia told the New York Post.

Some fans have called for Sabathia to stay on the roster, but as a middle reliever instead of a full time starter.

Sabathia has also had many issues with weight control in the past, but he told reporters this year that he expects to lose body fat since he is eliminating alcohol from his diet. Only time will tell how that plays out. 

Just three years ago Sabathia won 14 games and the thought of him fighting for a No. 5 spot in the Yankees rotation with Nova may have seemed ridiculous. That ridiculous thought is now a reality.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1