Push for Burnett coming, Giants want to meet with CC

Two reports here, first from Jon Heyman regarding A.J. Burnett and their interests in other free-agent pitchers.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was awaiting the arrival of Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, who got in late Monday. Cashman is expected to raise their proposal to at least top the Braves' reported $60-million four-year bid that also included a vesting option for a fifth year. It isn't known whether they'll go to a fifth year, but that could depend on whether they land the year's top free agent pitcher, CC Sabathia.

Beyond Sabathia and Burnett, the Yankees also are interested in at least three more free agent starters -- Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets and Oliver Perez.

The Yankees have only praise and admiration for Sabathia (Cashman called him "a great family man'') but that doesn't mean they gained confidence in their chances to sign him after meeting with him over two days here. Sabathia asked many questions about living and playing in New York, but it doesn't appear to be something he's anxious to do to this point.

Heyman reiterates the point he made here about the Yankees wanting to top the Braves' offer for the former Blue Jay and Marlin. However, the fact that Brian Cashman was awaiting Burnett's agent is new news. The last paragraph regarding Sabathia is scary for Yankees fans. I know I'm not feeling too confident here.

And with that, I bring you an update from Ken Rosenthal, who says the San Francisco Giants intend on meeting with Sabathia, and that could occur San Francisco this weekend. This reaffirms the notion that Sabathia will wait until after the Winter Meetings to sign a contract.