John Heyman and Mike Francesa Stir Hot Stove Pot

John Heyman of Sports Illustrated appeared on The Mike Francesca Show, which airs on WFAN and YES, to discuss Hot Stove matters and Yankee plans.

Heyman made it clear that the only information he has obtained is that the Yankees are pulling for the free agent pitcher of the Milwaukee Brewers, CC Sabathia.  Until Friday, Nov. 14 when the sweepstakes are thrown open to all teams, the Brewers have exclusive rights to talk to the lefty.

It is very unlikely the Brewers will come up with the amount of money Sabathia will demand on the open market.  Sabathia has apparently indicated he would like to stay in the National League and that his preference would be his home state of California.

These preferences limit his options to the L.A. Dodgers, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.  Sabathia is a winner and it is very difficult to imagine him going to a losing team such as the Padres or Giants, therefore, L.A. would be the only team with a legitimate shot of picking him up.

Heyman believes Sabathia will end up as a Yankee because he will be unable to refuse the money offered to him by the Yanks' General Manager, Brian Cashman.  If Sabathia accepts he will end up on a team that has proven it will be in the hunt for a championship almost every year.

The Yankees have the potential to shed almost $90 million per year from their salary with contracts ending for Jason Giambi (23.4 Mil); Andy Pettitte (16 Mil); Bobby Abreu (16 Mil); Ivan Rodriguez (12.4 Mil); Carl Pavano (11 Mil) and Mike Mussina (11 Mil).

Abreu may be re-signed but most likely at a reduced salary considering his age. 

Pettitte or Mussina could also be brought back to fill in the back of the rotation, but it is unlikely both starters will be re-signed if the Yankees get one or two front line starters.  If Pettite returns he will not be paid the $16 million from his last contract.

With at least $60 million dollars to throw at free agents, Heyman feels very sure that Sabathia will be lured to New York. 

Heyman and Francesa could only name Greg Maddux as the one big name free agent to turn down Yankee money in 1993 and go elsewhere for less, which seems unlikely for Sabathia.

The Yankees could offer a six year deal of $130 million and it would be hard for Sabathia or anyone else to refuse that. 

After paying Sabathia, Cashman would still have money to lure Mark Teixeira and other talent such as A.J. Burnett, at more than $15 million per season on a long term contract.

The Yankees seem determined to improve and pitching is their main priority so look for the numbers that would break anyone's bank but the Yankees'.