The Daily Yankeeland - 11/17

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The Yankees aren't sure if they'll land CC Sabathia, but the Cleveland Cavs forward, and Yankees fan, LeBron James thinks it'll happen. "We're gonna get him. Absolutely."

Meanwhile Brewers GM Doug Melvin can't understand the reported $140 million the Yankees offered his left-hander.

"If the speculation is true that we've offered CC $100 million," Melvin wondered out loud in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "why would you offer $140 million? Why wouldn't you offer $110 million?

With all due respect to Doug Melvin, why would the Yankees want to get into a bidding war? They know Sabathia wants Johan Santana money ($137.5 million), so why should they bid $105 million and allow Sabathia to think they really aren't serious? The Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman want to wow the 2007 AL CY Young winner and this offer will certainly do just that.


Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Darrell Rasner is thanking his lucky stars and Japanese ownership for some financial security. The Yankees sold Rasner's contract to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for $1 million. Rasner will make a guaranteed $1.2 million next season and could make as much as $3.5 million if his option is picked up for 2010.

"I'm going to, most of all, remember the last year," Rasner said. "This year was a special year with the closing of [Yankee Stadium]. To be a part of that was special for me, getting to start quite a few games. I wish I could have been better and a lot of things could have happened, but I know I did my best every time I went out there."

Really Peavy'ed
Despite the fact that Jake Peavy really doesn't want to pitch in New York, Brian Cashman has continued talks with Padres GM Kevin Towers in an attempt to swing a deal for the star right-hander. During the GM meetings, Towers said he was going to concentrate on the NL teams for the moment, but told Cashman he would come back to him. He's done just that. After a deal for Atlanta, that would have included young star shortstop Yuniel Escobar, fell through Towers expanded his search.

Without knowing all the details of the Braves talks, one would imagine the Padres would want Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano for starters. Of course, how much of Peavy's contract is picked up by the Yankees could alter what players would change hands.


Oldies but Goodies
Still no word from Mike Mussina on whether or not he'll return to the major leagues next season or call it a career. Meanwhile Andy Pettitte has not yet received an official offer from the Yankees, though it appears the two sides are far apart on what they think Pettitte should make. The left-hander reportedly is looking for money in the neighborhood of last year's $16 million, while the Yankees would like him to take a pay cut. "Hey Andy, here's $8 mill, take it or leave it."

Cubs Play, Cubs Play
It's official, the Chicago Cubs are coming to the city so nice they named it twice. The Cubs and Yankees will open the new Yankee Stadium with a pair of exhibition games April 3 and 4. The Cubs have only come to Yankee Stadium once, a 2005 interleague series, since the two teams met in the 1938 World Series.

"The Yankees organization is excited and honored to host the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games to be played at the new Yankee Stadium," Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said in a release. "As we welcome our fans into the ballpark for the first time, it is fitting to showcase two of baseball's greatest and most historic franchises."