Zell's Pinstripe Blog

     The Yankees met with CC Sabathia last night, and everything went well. A team official said the Yankees came out of the meeting feeling “encouraged.” They supposedly felt better about their chances of landing the big guy. The rumor all around baseball is that he doesn’t want to come to NY, and he is trying to do anything in his power to stay on the West Coast. The team now thinks that he isn’t opposed to the Big Apple like everyone says. Are these just rumors? Has CC said anything about not liking New York? He may prefer the West Coast…and that’s fine, but the idea that he doesn’t want to play for the Yanks is just made up. No time line has been set for CC in making up his mind, but we should know soon enough.

     Cashman, Girardi and Reggie all met with CC last night. I heard from Peter Abraham that Cashmanwas wearing his World Serious ring, which he barely ever wears. I guess he needed to show the bling to CC. As for Reggie…I guess the Yankees wanted to get him invloved to tell Sabathia that NY will be much better then he thinks. Jackson had a big personality and had to be adjusted to New York, but it all turned out well in the end. Another thing that might draw CC’s attention is the Yankees new ballpark, and the state of the art facilities and clubhouse.

Hardball: Winter Meetings Update

As of 12:52 pm ET. . . .

The New York Yankees literally brought in a heavy hitter for their Sunday meeting with CC Sabathia. Reggie Jackson joined Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi in what was generally described as an informational meeting, mainly with Sabathia wanting to collect the information about the Yankees. Jackson is often used by the Yankees in these kind of high-profile scenarios.

At the meeting, no firm date was set for when there’ll be a resolution. The Yankees privately believe that Sabathia is such a high-character guy that if he decides to play for them, he will be fully invested in the organization even if his initial desire was to play on the West Coast or in the National League.

some rotoworld updates on Sabathia:

• SI.com’s Jon Heyman believes the Brewers could go to six years and $120 million for CC Sabathia with an opt-out clause after two years. The New York Post indicated that there could be an opt-out clause after three years. No one expects Sabathia to make a decision on his future this week, but perhaps we’ll at least have a firm grasp on who the serious suitors are by the time the winter meetings wind down.
• Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said it’s “a possibility” the Dodgers could make an offer to free agent CC Sabathia.
  Sabathia reportedly told Colletti he “wants to be a Dodger” in a chance meeting Sunday night. The speculation has long been that he’d prefer to join the Dodgers or Giants if the money is there.

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