10:37pm: Yanks GM Brian Cashman plans to meet with Sabathia this weekend prior to the Meetings. Also, Brewers GM Doug Melvin plans to meet with Sabathia’s agent Greg Genske Monday or Tuesday to get a response to their offer.
3:27pm: Dodgers manager Joe Torre expects Pettitte to return to the Yankees.
8:56am: The latest on the Yankees front…
- Ken Davidoff says the Yankees and Blue Jays were willing to give A.J. Burnett a fifth year vesting option. The Braves seem likely to sign Burnett if they will guarantee that fifth year as has been reported. Braves officials are confident, and Tony Massarotti says they’re "rumored to be on the verge of a five-year deal that could be worth $80 million." Meanwhile the Red Sox have moved on to Derek Lowe.
- Davidoff says Yankees officials are confident they’re the only serious suitor for C.C. Sabathia, as there’s still a $40MM gap between their offer and Milwaukee’s. Davidoff believes the Yanks will move on to Lowe and Andy Pettitte (not Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira) if they sign C.C.
- According to Jack Curry of the New York Times, Pettitte does not want a pay cut from last year’s $16MM. Curry says the Yanks have offered Pettitte $10MM, which was first reported by Joel Sherman on Tuesday. Pettitte still sounds like he wants to return to the Yankees, but he’s letting his agents battle for a better salary.
