MLB

Yankees unlikely to beat Sabathia deadline

ST. LOUIS — The Yankees planned to present an initial proposal to CC Sabathia this weekend, but were not overly optimistic they could reach an agreement with their ace before Monday at 11:59 p.m., the deadline for the lefty to void the final four seasons of his contract.

Yankees officials met in Tampa earlier this week to finalize a strategy for dealing with Sabathia.

An official who has done a lot of business over many years with the Yankees said they generally do not submit an official offer to a player “until they know it is something the other side will accept or is darn near close to that.” Thus, the Yankees still could be in a feeling-out period with Sabathia’s representatives, Greg Genske and, specifically, Brian Peters before actually making a firm, written proposal.

If the sides have not reached some unanimity of ideas or covered a lot of ground already there probably will not be enough time to keep Sabathia from opting out. And as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday (Wednesday night), Sabathia could begin negotiating with any team. Players can talk to other teams starting tonight, but can not sign or receive economic offers from other teams until Wednesday night.

The Yankees are concerned about bidding against themselves. Sabathia has four years at $92 million left on his current seven-year, $161 million deal. The Yankees wonder how many teams are equipped to go that far or much further — and then of those clubs, how many would Sabathia really want to spend possibly the rest of his career. For example, would Sabathia go to Washington or Detroit if either was the high bidder?

Nevertheless, it is possible he could be more enticed should the Cubs or Angels pay lucratively.

What the Yankees believe is that Sabathia wants to stay. To go where he wanted, the Phillies, Cliff Lee last year took less overall money to sign for five years at $120 million. If you connect those dots, then that is likely where the Yankees will begin the bidding. They seem very leery of going six and definitely going seven years.

Nevertheless, Genske and Peters are known as tough negotiators, and they know the Yankees offered Lee seven years at $146 million and probably will seek at least that much.

*****

GM Brian Cashman‘s contract is complete and will be announced, probably Monday, now that the World Series is over. . . . Cashman was involved in an auto accident Thursday night in Connecticut but not injured. His car skidded on wet pavement and hit another car in the back.

*****

The Yankees will pick up the option on Robinson Cano ($14 million) and almost certainly do the same with Nick Swisher ($10.25 million) by 11:59 Monday night.

Swisher, a candidate to be traded after the option is exercised, can submit a list of teams he can veto a trade to.