New York Yankees Notes, Quotes
by Sports Xchange
--LHP CC Sabathia might have an additional suitor along with the Yankees, the Angels and the Brewers, according to reports, though that suitor might have tremendous pause. The San Francisco Giants prepared an offer somewhere between Milwaukee's $100 million over six years and the Yankees' $140 million deal over the same time, according to the reports. Of course, San Francisco was burned on another long-term deal for a pitcher when it signed Barry Zito for $126 million only to see his form fall upon arrival. Sabathia has said he prefers California and hasn't exactly jumped at the Yankees' staggering offer, making it seem likely he's either waiting for a better offer elsewhere or wants even more money to come to New York and deal with the added stress.
--2B Robinson Cano has been working hard in the off-season to turn the corner on his worst year, according to reports. Cano has trained in the Dominican Republic with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long and also shed some body fat. Cano struggled throughout 2008 but heated up late as Long worked with him on some mechanical issues. With RF Bobby Abreu not likely to return, the Yankees could count on Cano to become their No. 3 hitter if he can return to past form. It could work out, but if he struggles again, the lineup would take a tremendous hit.
--RHP A.J. Burnett may not be an option for the Yankees, who could find it increasingly hard to fill their sagging rotation. The Atlanta Braves were reportedly set to break a barrier the Yankees did not want to pass with Burnett as they prepared a five-year offer. The Yankees were set to go as high as four years, according to reports, but after getting burned in the past by pitchers because of injuries (See: Burnett's former teammate in Florida, Carl Pavano), the club wanted to limit the terms. Burnett, 31, is coming off an 18-win season for Toronto and is considered the second-best pitcher on the market in a relatively weak class after CC Sabathia.
--RHP Chien-Ming Wang had said earlier in the off-season he was recovering well from the foot injury that cost him the second half of 2008 and the Yankees had better hope so. Wang is the only solid bet for their empty rotation so far and if they are unable to sign CC Sabathia they will need Wang to step up as the ace. With 19 wins in both 2006 and 2007 as well as an 8-2 mark before his injury last year, Wang should be up to the challenge. But his ability to rehab in spring training will surely be closely scrutinized.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Number of starters on the Yankees roster who made more than 15 big-league starts last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The determination we made ... was to make sure that we control what amount we'd be spending, at least in the event that we're fortunate enough to bring those players back." -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman in a recorded statement on why the club did not offer arbitration to Andy Pettitte or Bobby Abreu.
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