C.C. Sabathia told Jon Heyman of SI.com that he hopes the Yankees will add guaranteed years to his contract after the season. The left-hander has an opt-out clause that enables him to walk away from the four years and $92MM remaining on his contract and become a free agent, so he has leverage. Here's the latest on Sabathia, the Yankees and the Red Sox:
- Executives around the league tell Heyman that they're sure Sabathia will use the opt out to leave or obtain an extension.
- However, people around the Yankees like what Sabathia delivers and say he is "pretty well entrenched" as a Yankee.
- Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter in the league, according to Sabathia, who gave Jose Bautista an honorable mention.
- It's possible that the Yankees will allow Nick Swisher to hit free agency instead of exercising his $10.25MM option after the season. Here's a list of all 2012 free agents.
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who has homered in three of his past four games, is rewarding the Red Sox people who believed in his ability.
- Carl Crawford has been a "real professional" despite his struggles, a Red Sox person told Heyman.
