Yankees Hot Stove Now Boiling With CC and Others

Various news sources announced today that the New York Yankees and C.C. Sabathia have agreed to terms by which the left handed starting pitcher will pitch in the Bronx.

Different sources report the deal as a six-year contract for $140 million or a seven year deal for $160 million.

Reports in the New York Post and Daily News also indicated that Yankee General Manager, Brian Cashman is still very involved with the agent for free agent pitcher, A.J. Burnett, late of the Toronto Blue Jays.

It was reported that Cashman is willing to match dollars with the Atlanta Braves for Burnett's services and is willing to go five years on the injury plagued starter.

Cashman also was reported to still be interested in Dodger free agent starter, Derek Lowe and Joe Girardi, Yankee Manager, was reported as very interested in Ben Sheets, another free agent starting pitcher who played for Milwaukee.

The Yankees have also expressed interest in bringing back long time Yankee starter, Andy Pettitte although the club and the player's agent apparently are about $6 million dollars apart in their negotiations.

New York already has Chien Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes under contract and they are all slated to be starters. 

The addition of Sabathia gives the team four solid starters so it is unclear that Cashman and Girardi can really be serious about adding Burnett, Lowe, Sheets and bringing back Pettitte.

There has been some thought that the Yankees would start the year with a six man rotation to save Joba Chamberlain some innings.

But eight pitchers are named above in which Yankees are purportedly seriously interested.

Signing Sabathia and one other starter, say Burnett, would allow them some freedom to go after a major position player such as Mark Teixeira to play first base or Raul Ibanez to play a corner outfield position.

Much is needed on offense as well as pitching and if the Yankees actually throw money at Burnett, Lowe and Sheets, there will be no money left to sign a hitter.

It is unlikely the Yankees will start the season with Mark Swisher at first base and Johnny Damon in the outfield. 

As the hot stove has reached a boil, fans will have to wait a little longer to see what is the final result.