Yankees Brainstorming Plan To Keep Sabathia

The New York Yankees are currently in meetings in Tampa to figure out a way to lock up ace lefty CC Sabathia before he becomes eligible to opt out of his contract three days after the World Series. According to a report from the New York Post, the meetings are being chaired by general manager Brian Cashman and attended by team president Randy Levine, assistant general manager Jean Afterman and head of pro scouting Billy Eppler, with owner Hal Steinbrenner also likely taking part.

By the end of tomorrow, the team will hope to have an offer ready for the 31-year-old Sabathia, who is eligible to opt out of the final four years of his seven year, $161 million deal, but can only negotiate with the Yankees until three days following the Fall Classic. The Post reports that the Yankees would be okay with giving Sabathia a raise in a five- or six-year deal, but are wary of a longer contract due to Sabathia's age, workload and weight. Sabathia went 19-8 in 2011 with a 3.00 ERA.

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