MLB

Yankees make offer to Lee: six years, $138-150M

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Yankees have made their offer to Cliff Lee.

Internally, the Yankees are comfortable with a six-year deal north of Johan Santana’s $137.5 million contract but less than $150 million.

A six-year pact in the $144 million range would make Lee the highest paid pitcher ever on a multi-year contract. His $24 million average would be $1 million more than CC Sabathia averages on his seven-year, $161 million contract.

The next move will be up to Lee, who has stayed at home in Arkansas during the Winter Meetings.

“We made an offer,’’ Cashman said Wednesday. “It’s not like he didn’t want to take an offer. He is trying to put himself in the position where he has all the offers out there.’’

HARDBALL ON LEE, CRAWFORD

Cashman said his offer wasn’t the result of agent Darek Braunecker making an official request of the Yankees.

“He told me he wasn’t close to making a decision,’’ Cashman said. “He is waiting on more teams to get their stuff together. He said, ‘I will let you know’ because he knew my intent not to really make an offer four weeks still four weeks away from (Lee) making a decision.’’

The Yankees’ focus is on Lee, even though Cashman had dinner with outfielder Carl Crawford on Tuesday.

“I feel like Hannibal Lecter in a straight jacket,’’ Cashman said of his obsession with Lee.

Braunecker met with the Yankees, Rangers and Nationals before leaving Florida on Wednesday.

The Yankees and Rangers have been considered the favorites to land the coveted lefty, and though there have been reports that at least one team was willing to give Lee a seventh season, that hasn’t been confirmed.

The Angels are considered another possible destination for Lee, whose lack of progress in negotiations has tied up GMs throughout the Meetings.