Three keys to the Yankees offseason
New York Yankees' CC Sabathia pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox. (Aug. 6, 2011) Credit: AP
ALL ABOUT CC
If they retain Sabathia, as is expected -- though probably after some hard negotiations -- the Yankees won't be in desperation mode. They'd require only minor alterations to their roster, including rotation depth behind the lefthander. They would love to add a second lefthanded reliever.
OPTIONS, OPTIONS
The Yankees picked up their $14-million club option on Robinson Cano and their $10.25-million club option on Nick Swisher yesterday. A trade involving popular rightfielder Swisher still can't be ruled out.
BIG-GAME HUNTING
No one ever completely counts out the Yankees when it comes to the biggest -- and most expensive -- free agents, but a small book's worth of things would have to occur for them to get in on the bidding for Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols, and even then it would be a long shot. The best available free-agent pitcher is C.J. Wilson, whom the Yankees will be in on, though his price could prove prohibitive.
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