Heyman: Yankees still interested in Pettitte, Sheets

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees remain interested in both Andy Pettitte and Ben Sheets. However, the new news here is that Heyman said the Yankees are believed to be offering Pettitte less than the $10 million they previously offered. That would be very interesting, and it is the right play in my mind.

Heyman also said the Yankees are one of a few teams interested in the oft-injured Sheets. I would love Sheets at a two-year, incentive-laden deal. At least one of the teams interested in the righty has a one-year deal on the table.

Yankees avoiding Sheets like the plague

Tireless Joel Sherman, who's supposed to be on vacation, threw up yet another post this week. He talks mainly about Ben Sheets, but has other bits of information on A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

Sherman said he's heard from sources who said the Yankees have real concerns about Sheets' health history, especially his back. He also said the Yankees have already taken their "health gamble" by signing Burnett to a five-year deal and want nothing to do with Sheets.

He also has news on why the Yankees chose Burnett over Lowe. He said the Yankees built their plans around CC Sabathia, but knew they needed a second pitcher. The Yankees used both pitchers' numbers in and against the AL East as comparison, and it was ultimately the deal breaker.

Lowe had a 5.42 ERA in his last year in the AL East, and he's already up there in age (he'll turn 36 in June). Burnett was 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA against the Yankees last year, and because of that, the Yankees felt he could dominant other AL opponents. He pitched to a 2.60 ERA against the Boston Red Sox last year and only gave up one run (zero earned) in 13 2/3 innings pitched at Fenway Park.

Sherman said the Yankees valued Burnett's dominant potential over Lowe's dependability.

Nothing surprising here. Had the Yankees been unable to sign Burnett, Sheets would've been a nice option. He would've required less years and less annual money than Burnett. Both pitchers, however, are injury risks. Lowe also probably would've received a contract like Burnett's, and I would be extremely hesitant to give a four- or five-year to a pitcher in his mid-30s.

Pettitte has another offer?

From the "are you kidding me?" files, Jon Heyman has interesting news regarding Andy Pettitte.

It's been a mystery to many why veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte hasn't taken the Yankees' $10-million offer. But here could be a clue as to why he hasn't: Pettitte's people apparently are telling folks he has a $36-million, three-year offer from another, unnamed team.

I honestly don't believe that for a second.

Heyman says the news of this mysterious offer hasn't caused the Yankees to change their one-year, $10 million offer, nor has Pettitte received a deadline from the team.

He suggests the Yankees will turn their attention to Ben Sheets or Derek Lowe is talks with Pettitte fall through, even though I've heard rumors that the Yankees saw red flags in Sheets' medical history.

Poll analysis

Yesterday, I asked you: All things being equal, which pitcher do you want the most?

53 people voted, and the results were clear.

A.J. Burnett: 18 votes (33%)
Derek Lowe: 8 (15%)
Ben Sheets: 26 (49%)
None: 1 (1%)

I wish the Yankees were thinking the way the majority of you did. I would love Sheets here for two or three years. Burnett for five years scares the living you know what out of me, but apparently Brian Cashman feels comfortable offering that. We should learn soon as to which team - the Yankees or Braves - Burnett chooses.

Which pitcher do you want the most?

I have added a new poll to the right-hand side of the page. If you're viewing in an RSS reader, the poll will not be visible unless you visit the site.

I ask: All things being equal, which free-agent pitcher do you want the most?

A.J. Burnett
Derek Lowe
Ben Sheets
None

The poll will close at 10 a.m. ET tomorrow.

Discuss your choice here.

Heyman: Lowe 4 for $66 million?

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are closing in on another pitcher:

The Yankees' new rotation is starting to take shape as they are also in serious negotiations with free-agent Derek Lowe. An agreement with Lowe appears likely to be finalized in coming days, as well. The sides were discussing a contract for four years and about $66 million late Tuesday.

Ay. I want to know what happened to Ben Sheets. He wasn't named in Heyman's piece regarding the Yankees targeting three pitchers last night. I think he's the next best option after CC Sabathia.

Think that's too much for Lowe?

Yankees will attempt to sign three pitchers

Jon Heyman has some expensive news: the Yankees will attempt to sign CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett.

Cashman also spent a good part of the day on the phone with Yankees ownership talking over the financial implications. The upshot appears to be that they will attempt to sign all three of their top starting pitching targets, an outlay would could approach $300 million. About a half-dozen teams are vying for the talented Burnett, but the Yankees topped the Braves' $60 million, four-year offer that included a vesting option for a fifth year by a few million dollars and they might also consider guaranteeing a fifth year.

No! Way too much money, and WAY too many years. I'm fine with Sabathia for six years, but please don't give four or five years to Lowe and/or Burnett. Two years (and possible option) with Ben Sheets is the way to go.

Yanks, Phils most aggressive for Lowe

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are the top two contenders for Derek Lowe's services.

The Phillies and Yankees appear for the moment to have emerged as the two most prominent contenders for star free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe, who seeks at least a five-year deal for about $80 million.

The 35-yer [sic]-old Lowe has been pursued by about 10 teams, but it appears those two have been among the more aggressive for Lowe. The Red Sox and Mets are among interested teams discouraged by the price. An official with one team interested in Lowe said he was "shocked'' how high the bidding appears to be going.

That's way too much for Lowe, and I don't know exactly how successful he'd be returning to the AL East. Just look at his last two years with the Red Sox, for example.

Aside from CC Sabathia, I think two years for Ben Sheets is the best offer I've seen so far.

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.

Sherman's latest: Ankiel and more on Sheets

In Joel Sherman's latest "3 Up," he says the Yankees have some interest in ex-pitcher Rick Ankiel. Ankiel, who Sherman said should only make about $3 million in arbitration, has at least five teams looking at him as a possible trade option.

Ankiel batted .264/.337/.506 with 25 home runs and 71 RBI in 463 plate appearances last season, and the Cardinals' needs, according to Sherman, are a closer and a starter. Sherman also said the Cardinals have "some interest" in Ian Kennedy.

The Yankees' outfield is crowded, with Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon and Brett Gardner all currently on the roster.

Would you trade Kennedy and someone like Cabrera for Ankiel? I'd definitely have to think about it. Sherman believes the Cardinals won't ask for a lot, considering Ankiel only has one year left until free agency.

Meanwhile, Sherman said the Yankees haven't fully decided whether to offer Ben Sheets a deal, contradicting Mark Feinsand's report. "But there is some chance that the Yankees can end up this offseason with the Nos. 1 and 2 starters from last year's Brewers," Sherman said

Offer for Sheets in the works

Good morning, everyone. I don't want to be awake this early, either.

According to Mark Feinsand, the Yankees are working on an offer for Ben Sheets before the conclusion of the Winter Meetings.

According to a source, the Yankees will offer Ben Sheets a multiyear deal - most likely for two years in the $30 million range - before the winter meetings conclude on Thursday.

I would love that. I'd maybe go with an option for the third year, but two years guaranteed for a pitcher who isn't guaranteed sounds great. It's also a lot better than four years, $64 million for A.J. Burnett.

Remember, Sheets made $11 million last year, so this is a nice increase in salary.

Thoughts?

Update - 9:45 a.m.: The Feinsand article is updated, replacing the $30 million with $26 million. It's still an increase in Sheets' 2008 pay, but not by much.

Monday recap

The first day of the Winter Meetings was pretty busy. I know I barely left my computer today, as evidenced by me posting 14 times.

Much of the news today was spent talking about CC Sabathia. We learned today that he met with the Yankees for the second time in as many days this afternoon. We also discovered that he told Dodgers GM Ned Colletti he would like to play for them. Apparently Sabathia has great character, but hates spring training in Florida. Reggie Jackson was also involved in the first meeting with Sabathia.

There was a rumor out there today saying the Yankees and Dodgers were talking a possible Robinson Cano trade. However, that was quickly refuted.

On the A.J. Burnett front, the Yankees reportedly are ready to offer the oft-injured pitcher four years at $16 million a pop. Oft-injured Carl Pavano also spoke glowingly about New York to Burnett, saying he has the stuff to succeed there. Speaking of oft-injured pitchers, the Yankees also met with Ben Sheets.

Regarding Yankees who are actually under contract, Jorge Posada is in Tampa, Fla., throwing and preparing to catch in spring training.

And this is only the first day. Be sure to check back tomorrow.

Yankees meet with Sheets, Giambi to A's?

Bryan Hoch cites a New York Post report saying Yankees executives met with Ben Sheets late this afternoon. Sheets didn't arrive in Las Vegas until earlier today, so this makes sense. Sheets, 30, went 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings last season.

Also, Ken Rosenthal reports Jason Giambi has told friends he expects to sign with the Oakland A's. The A's, however, have Giambi "way down on its list of priorities," according to Rosenthal's major-league source.

Sabathia meets, Yanks prepare offers for Burnett and Sheets

CC Sabathia met with the Brian Cashman last night at the behest of his agent.

According to Bill Madden, here's why:

The reason Genske wanted the meeting, said one source, is that the agent is trying to buy more time for another team more to Sabathia's liking to approach the Yankee bid.

With each passing day, the likelihood of that lessens considerably. "(Genske) has to be concerned about them pulling the offer and moving on to the other (free agent) pitchers," the source said. "If he blows this deal, he's dead as an agent. For one thing, who's going to approach that $140 million if the Yankees are out of it? Sabathia winds up with a deal $20 million less than Barry Zito? Like I said, (Genske's) dead."

Those tricky agents. Sabathia and Genske probably realize by now that no team will approach the Yankees' offer, but if a team comes in the ballpark, he could balk at the Yankees' offer, at least in my opinion.

Later in the article, Madden says the Yankees were prepared to offer multi-year deals to both A.J. Burnett and Ben Sheets. As impressive as their pitching resumes have been at times, their injury history is just as extensive.

Madden concludes the article with:

"There's nothing more ominous for all the clubs here operating in this economy than the Yankees being desperate for pitching," said one agent Sunday night. "They don't seem to care what it costs them to get it."

From the sounds of that, it looks like the Yankees will get someone. But will it be the right someone?

No surprises: Sabathia declines arbitration

It will be all CC Sabathia all the time this week, so get used to it.

In what pretty much was a formality, Sabathia officially declined arbitration, meaning that when Sabathia signs with the Yankees (or another team), the Brewers will receive two compensatory draft picks because of his Type A free-agent status. Ben Sheets, another Type A free agent, also declined arbitration.

The Brewers will have a nice amount of picks in the draft.