CC Sabathia has talked with his friend and Yankees free-agent target Cliff Lee this offseason.
But he said he hasn’t broached the subject that everyone else seems to be talking about: where Lee will end up this offseason. He also hasn’t pitched New York to his former Indians teammate.
“I’ve talked to him a couple times this offseason. We didn’t really talk about negotiations or anything like that,” Sabathia told The Post at halftime of the Knicks-Raptors game. “Really just talking about hanging out in the offseason.
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“I kind of told him about New York, I made my pitch a long time ago. So it’s not the first thing we talk about as far as that goes.”
Sabathia and Lee were teammates from 2002-07 before the Indians traded Sabathia to the Brewers. They dealt Lee to the Phillies the next year, and he was later traded to the Mariners then the Rangers.
“He’s going to do what he wants to do and make the best decision he wants for his family,” Sabathia said. “He has to take the best offer and the best offer for him to try to win championships and have a legacy in the game.”
Two years ago during the Winter Meetings, Sabathia made his decision to come to the Yankees. But he said last night he had no timetable then to pick a team and isn’t sure what Lee’s timetable is.
“I can understand where he’s coming from,” he said. “This is a lot of pressure.”
Sabathia also said he could care less if Lee’s contract ends up being for more money than his $161 million deal.
“I’m comfortable,” Sabathia said. “So I’m fine.”