Asked point-blank if his club was still in it, Melvin didn't hesitate with his succinct answer.

"Yes," he said.

"Until we're told we're no longer involved, I take it that we have a chance. Teams can pull out, too. I don't know what else is out there.

"If they told us we weren't still in it, we'd move on."

Melvin and assistant Gord Ash left the Bellagio, where the meetings are being held, to meet with Sabathia's agents, Greg Genske, Brian Peters and Scott Parker, at The Wynn. Melvin wouldn't reveal details of the meeting but said there was an agreement to talk again later in the week.

If that meant that Melvin might increase his offer of five years and $100 million, he wouldn't say. Melvin did chuckle at published reports claiming the Brewers already had added a sixth year as well as "opt out" clauses that would allow Sabathia to get out of his contract if so desired.

"That didn't come from me. I haven't talked to Mark about that," Melvin said, referring to team owner Mark Attanasio. "I don't know where they get that. It's speculation.

"I can't comment on what we're going to do or what we're not going to do. When you're negotiating, it's best not to say anything."

Despite the brevity of the meeting, Melvin said he did "get a feel" for where he stands with his offer. The only other reported offer is the six-year, $140 million bid by the New York Yankees, who met with Sabathia on Sunday night here and again Monday.

There's always the possibility that Sabathia's agents are keeping the Brewers and Yankees on the hook until he gets a bid from a preferred West Coast team. Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he bumped into Sabathia at the hotel Sunday night and the big lefty told him he wanted to pitch for the Dodgers.

Whether the Dodgers, San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Angels eventually get involved remains to be seen. Melvin said he had no plans to set a deadline for an answer from Sabathia.

"We haven't said that we would set a deadline," Melvin said. "I think the reason is there's not a lot of other stuff going on (with other free agents). We don't have any other free-agent deals on the table.

"I told them I'd get back to them before we left here."

At that point, Melvin probably will tell Sabathia's agents what else he is willing to do, if anything. Melvin said there was no negotiating done Monday, and that Sabathia's agents didn't broach the subject of "opt out" clauses.

Reports surfaced that Sabathia was waiting to see what the Brewers did with the rest of their roster, including trades and signings. Ash said he specifically broached that subject with the agents without any concerns being expressed.

"I asked if there were any other issues outside of money we needed to discuss: makeup of the club going forward, staff changes we've had," Ash said. "They said he's very familiar with our club and is satisfied with all those issues.

"The 'soft' issues of everything that's going to surround him on the field did not seem to be things he was concerned about. All the rumors that are circulating about players that may or may not be traded, they didn't ask about any of that."

Though a Yankees delegation including Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson met with Sabathia on Sunday evening, and general manager Brian Cashman talked face-to-face again with him on Monday, Melvin said that wasn't a necessity from the Brewers' standpoint.

"I've offered to fly to L.A. and meet with CC and Mark and Greg, and they didn't think it was necessary," Melvin said.

"I think any free agent has a certain criteria and teams they want to get to. We're fortunate we're on that list. It's a credit to our organization, to our fans, the ballclub and our ownership that we went out and got him last season.

"We probably would not be on his list had we not acquired him (from Cleveland in July)."

Added Ash, "The point his group made today was if they were going to take the highest offer, they would have done that already."

Coffey signs: The Brewers signed reliever Todd Coffey to a one-year deal for $800,000, avoiding arbitration. Coffey, 28, can earn another $200,000 in appearance incentives.

The Brewers also are close to re-signing free-agent third baseman Mike Lamb, another late-season pickup.

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