MLB

Sabathia: Yankees still team to beat

Despite an offseason in which the Yankees lost more than they have gained, CC Sabathia declared yesterday he believes his team can certainly still contend.

“I do. Obviously we won 95 games and won the division last year. We have a lot of the same guys coming back,” the Yankees ace said.

“Obviously we’re gonna miss [Russell Martin]. But we had so many guys go down last year and had guys step up. … We have the guys in the organization to step up and the guys in the clubhouse to first win the division, then try to win another championship.”

So far this offseason, Sabathia has seen his team lose Martin, Eric Chavez, Nick Swisher (probably) and Alex Rodriguez (to injury), while adding only Kevin Youkilis. The Yanks also likely will lose Rafael Soriano, though they do have Mariano Rivera returning.

“[The offseason’s] not over yet. But you’ve always got to look out for the Yankees having a move up their sleeve,” Sabathia said. “But if not, we have the guys.”

Youkilis is now one of them. Sabathia, who was at the MLB Fan Cave with wife Amber to throw their annual holiday party for the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, has texted with his former Red Sox rival and said Youkilis is pumped up.

“I told him he would be excited about being able to pop balls up to right field and get them out of here,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sabathia is probably less excited about facing the Angels now that they have signed Josh Hamilton. Mike Scioscia’s crew features a lineup that boasts Hamilton, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo.

“It’s tough. Detroit has an unbelievable lineup. Toronto now has an unbelievable lineup,” Sabathia said, cracking, “I would much rather see these guys going to the National League.”

Health-wise, Sabathia said his Oct. 25 surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow has not altered his offseason throwing. He typically begins throwing after Christmas and says he expects to do so again.