LAS VEGAS - The Yankees have renewed optimism about their chances of signing CC Sabathia after general manager Brian Cashman met with Sabathia for a third consecutive day. Last night's meeting was a last-minute affair for which Cashman jetted to San Francisco for the evening, multiple sources told Newsday.
Earlier in the day, a Yankees official told Newsday "things are going in the right direction" with Sabathia. That became quite apparent once Cashman canceled his planned daily meeting with the New York media. Media relations director Jason Zillo explained in an e-mail: "Brian is off hotel property and unavailable for the rest of the evening. This was not scheduled and he/we apologize for the inconvenience." Cashman is believed to have gone alone to the San Francisco area, where Sabathia lives, as manager Joe Girardi was seen at the Bellagio later yesterday.
Cashman met with Sabathia and his representatives both Sunday (with Girardi and Reggie Jackson) and Monday (alone) in Sabathia's suite at the Wynn Las Vegas, and Sabathia returned to the Bay Area later Monday. One likely reason for the third meeting is so that Sabathia's wife, Amber, could meet with Cashman. She is a major part of Sabathia's decision-making process.
The Yankees offered Sabathia a six-year, $140-million contract Nov. 14. Opinion this week has fluctuated wildly as to whether Sabathia has any interest in pitching in New York, as he is believed to favor both the West Coast and the National League. The fact that Sabathia met with Cashman for a third straight day seemingly indicates he is at least giving the Yankees serious consideration.
Earlier this week, Sabathia and/or his representatives also met with the Brewers, Red Sox and Giants. The Brewers have a five-year, $100-million offer on the table, and someone familiar with their thinking told Newsday yesterday they cannot afford to substantially raise their offer.
The Red Sox are more focused on signing first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Giants have an inherent advantage in that they are Sabathia's hometown team, but they may not be able to spend that much given their huge commitment to Barry Zito.
Giants GM Brian Sabean told the San Francisco Chronicle: "If we decide we're going to get involved, we will have a meeting and make our presentation. But we're not there yet, which means there may be no further conversation or there may be a meeting ... We'll monitor the situation."
Meanwhile, Angels owner Arte Moreno told SI.com: "I wouldn't say we're in the Sabathia picture at all. We have four pitchers. And we're not getting into a long drawn-out process. He has a very good offer on the table [from the Yankees]. And we're not in that ballpark."
The Yankees' attention is not all focused on Sabathia.
They have been intensifying their efforts to add other pitchers, with A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets and Derek Lowe also on their wish list. They met with Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, Monday night, and a source said they will top the Braves' offer, which is estimated at four years and $60 million with a vesting option for a fifth year. The source said, "We can do better." And they plan to.
The Yankees also met with Sheets personally on Monday, and Girardi said yesterday that Sheets impressed him. The Yankees have yet to make an offer to Sheets, but a source said, "We're very interested."
Dodgers manager Joe Torre reiterated what he told Newsday last week - that he spoke to Andy Pettitte recently and believes Pettitte will pitch for the Yankees.
Girardi also said of Pettitte: "I've just had that feeling all along that he'll be a Yankee next year."
