Whos next on radar

With Sabathia all but a few signatures and a physical away from being completed their apparently seems to be some urgency for the other big name free agents to get signed. It’s reported that the Yankees have reached out to AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets. It seems that if they get only one of these guys that they may reengage talks with Pettitte. If they get two of the three Andy may be odd man out unless he is willing to sign on the cheap. He has already turned down a one year 10 million dollar offer. Will the Yankees end up raising their offer if they don't get two. I would think 12 million for one year of Andy would be reasonable, but the 16 million he made last year is a bit much. Are there any other plan B type free agents the Yankees could engage? Perhaps, Brad Penny? I think they will sign Lowe and Sheets and Pettite will have to take what he can or look elsewhere. But who knows maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part.

Sabathia is a Yankee

After much sneaking around and negotiations CC is a Yankee.  Reportedly agreeing ot a 7 year 160 million dollar contract. Now the Yankees can use this to work on the other free agent pitchers. Welcome CC ! You will make a great Yankee.

Somethings cookin with CC

Apparently Cash money has been MIA for a while this evening and it has now come to light, Via Pete Abraham, that he is meeting again with Sabathia possibly in California. Now if something big wasn't about to happen why would cash jump on a plan and fly to California in the middle of all the fun. I could speculate all night but Ill just wait till something concrete happens then I will let you all know.

update: the daily news is reporting that the meeting with CC may have everything to do with getting his wife Amber involved. In my mind a good sign. Perhaps we will wrap this all up by friday...

Hot Stove is on! Yankees not going to get burnt

The Yankees hot stove is heating up. Brian Cashman Met with Sabathia the other day and at Sabathia’s request had a second meeting. In my mind that’s a good sign, if you’re not interested in something why ask to talk more. Lots of teams have been saying that they will or might prepare an offer for CC. but so far only the Brewers and the Yankees have done so. Sabathia seems to be holding out hoping a west coast team will get involved, being from California I suppose I understand, but ultimately I don’t think anyone will even come close to the Yankees offer and I don’t believe anyone will. While the Yanks continue to court Sabathia they are keeping busy on other fronts apparently preparing an offer for Burnett that reportedly will exceed Atlanta’s 4 year 60 Million Dollar offer and One for Ben Sheets believed to be in the range of 2 years 30Million. That’s a big raise for sheets who made 11million last year. Many teams have stayed clear of Sheets due to past injury concerns. When healthy Sheets is an Ace with a career ERA of 3.72 and last season pitching nearly 200 innings I think he’s a keeper.

  Burnett is a true strike out king. He has absolutely filthy stuff last year he had 231 strike outs and has a career 1278 K's in 1376 innings. Both of these guys and Sabathia would certainly make the Yankees a force in 2009. Think about this rotation kids.

Sabathia

Wang

Burnett

Sheets

Joba

Devastating!!!!! I'll keep you up to date as more happens.

OK so it looks like somethings brewing

Yankees General Manager Brian Cash man met with Scott Boras yesterday who represents Sabathia, Teixeria, and Lowe.  Mlb.com reports that Teixeria was present at this meeting. I wouldn't look into that to much I don't think the Yankees will be pursuing him to the extent of the Angels. However It appears that the Yankees are reaching out to Lowe, who reportedly wants to return to Boston. To me it appears that the Red Sox don't have a glaring need for a high priced free agent Pitcher.  Pete Abraham reports that Cash will be meeting with CC this weekend in an effort to get something done before the Winter meetings next week. I'll get you more when I have it.

Angels say Tex is #1

   It has been speculated that the Angels may be preparing an offer to CC Sabathia. Now it appears that these rumors have been exaggerated and that Tex is still their priority. This is good news for the Yankees being that the only other offer out there is the Brewers and its significantly less. Hopefully this means CC will be signing soon.

No arbitration for anyone

The Yankees in a surprising move did not offer any of their free agents Arbitration. It didn’t' t surprise me about Pettite and Pudge but I really thought they would offer it to Abreu. What does this mean? Well not a whole lot, do to the new arbitration rules they can still negotiate with any of these players. Previously they would have had to wait until May. What it does mean is that if they go to another team the Yankees do not get any Draft Picks for them. I think they still may resign Andy, but now they can do it at a lesser salary. He surely would have accepted arbitration and the Yankees would have had him for more money than they probably want to spend on him considering he mad 16 million last year. I think there is zero chance they resign Pudge and only an outside chance for Abreu if other deals fall apart and there is no place else to get any offence.