Yankees reach deal with C.C. Sabathia

Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that Brian Cashman has finally convinced C.C. Sabathia to sign with the Yankees:

After three straight days of face-to-face meetings between GM Brian Cashman and Sabathia, the big lefty decided he wants to spend the next six years of his career as a Yankee. The decision came late last night after Cashman flew to see Sabathia at his home in San Francisco. By the time the meeting was concluded, Sabathia had informed the Yankees that he had made his decision to call New York his baseball home, the Post has learned.

There are still minor hurdles to finalize, notably that Sabathia must pass a physical. But after so much belief that Sabathia was stalling because he wanted to avoid New York, he agreed to the largest pitching contract in major league history, at least $140 million.

The 6-year, $140 million deal is the largest pitching contract in MLB history.

So what does this mean for the Red Sox?

When the Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez many speculated that it would begin a surge of Free Agent signings... well Sabathia agreed to sign with the Yankees less than 24 hours after he K-Rod deal was announced, so that theory appears to be right on.

That means AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira could be signing news deal before the day is over.

The Red Sox have had significant discussions with Burnett and agent Darek Braunecker, but Theo is not likely to give Burnett (32) long-term, high-dollar deal he wants:

"I've maintained for the last two years, if he wants five years, he's getting five years," Braunecker said.

Enter the Yankees.

New York spoke Tuesday with the agents for Burnett, saying it was prepared to exceed what the Yankees believe is the offer he received from Atlanta, a guaranteed four-year deal worth about $60 million. They also met Monday with Sheets and were examining his medical records.

"When you look at his numbers, they stack up against anyone," Girardi said. "I think injuries have kind of kept him out of that (top) class, but when he's on the mound, he's dynamite."

If the Yankees choose to focus on their major need (pitching) it could make things easier for the Red Sox to fill their major need (power bat) sign Mark Teixeira. And there were rumblings yesterday that the Red Sox are the front runners in the Teixeira sweepstakes:

"I think he'll sign with the Red Sox," the [unnamed official official of a competing team] said. "They want him. They have a good relationship with [agent Scott] Boras, and in the end, they have the dollars to make it happen."

"He is a perfect fit for the Red Sox and Boston," said another club official. "A guy who plays every day, doesn't need to be the center of attention, is a good teammate, and can hit like he does, I can't see the Red Sox letting him get away."

Bottom Line: The action is heating up in Vegas, so stay tuned through the rest of the week because the contracts could start flying...

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