BASEBALL
Yankees feeling better about their chances of signing Sabathia
LAS VEGAS — The idea of playing in pinstripes might finally be taking hold on CC Sabathia.
According to a baseball official familiar with the discussions, the New York Yankees felt more optimistic Tuesday than they were the day before that Sabathia eventually would accept their six-year, $140 million offer a record deal for a starting pitcher.
The sense was that Sabathia had grown more at ease with the idea of living in New York, following two meetings with Yankees officials.
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman left the winter meetings Tuesday and traveled to the San Francisco area to meet with Sabathia.
Cashman’s trip to California was disclosed by a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t say where the GM had gone. Cashman traveled after being invited by Sabathia, the official said.
Still, as long as there’s no deal, there’s every chance that the Yankees’ Plan A could crumble at these winter meetings.
“CC, he can definitely handle New York,” said Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter, who has known Sabathia since they were kids. “If he doesn’t sign with New York, that won’t be the reason why. [If] he’s not going to sign with New York, [it’s] because he loves the West Coast.”
On Sunday, Sabathia reportedly ran into Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, and the California resident professed his wish to be a Dodger.
“That certainly teases you,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said about the Sabathia statement. “But there’s a long way between wanting to and going to.”
While the Yankees fear the notion of a Sabathia-free staff, they have been engaged with the remaining starters on their wish list.
Yankees officials are sorting through the medical records on Ben Sheets, but no offer has been made. Derek Lowe also remains a primary Yankees interest, but a more immediate target is A. J. Burnett.
A baseball official said that the Yankees would be certain to top the Atlanta Braves’ reported offer of $60 million over four years — probably with an annual average salary of $16 million though no official Yankees offer has been made.
The Orioles, Phillies and Red Sox are also linked to interest in Burnett.
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