New York Yankees News and Notes: CC Sabathia and the Tampa Meeting

Good morning, Pinstripe Alley readers. Finally, we have something to talk about when it comes to Yankees baseball.

Word leaked yesterday that the Yankees would like to sign CC Sabathia before his opt-out date arrives. And, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times, the Yanks are close to completing a new offer for him. 

George A. King III says the Yankees are "believed to be OK with a five- or six-year deal for an obvious raise over his current $23 million a year." As I pointed out earlier in the week, something in the area 6 years, $25M per year could be a likely contract. 

The sooner they get their ace locked up, the sooner they can begin working toward the rest of their offseason. Speaking of...

Wallace Matthews of ESPN reported last night that the Yankees held their annual organizational meeting in Tampa, Florida. The meeting was attended by Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman, Randy Levine, assistant GM Jean Afterman, Mark Newman, Billy Eppler, and Gene Michael, among others.

CC Sabathia was the talk of the meeting, which lasted about 6 1/2 hours. Also among the discussions were Cashman's contract status, which is "very close" to completion, and Nick Swisher's $10.25M option for 2012. 

According to a source, who remained anonymous, "No decision on Swisher has been made yet." I wonder what the hold up is. 

Additionally, the Yankees also discussed the free agent pitching class, which will include high profile names such as C.J. Wilson and Roy Oswalt.

No further meetings were planned. 

Questions for the day:

• How many years would you be willing to go for CC Sabathia? Most would probably want to stop at five, but if he reaches the open market and has other potential suitors, six years probably becomes necessary to sign him.
• What are your thoughts on C.J. Wilson? His arm doesn't have too much mileage on it, but the big increase in innings over the last two seasons worries me.
• How about your thoughts on Roy Oswalt? He spent a lot of 2011 on the disabled list, so he may not get a big deal. My early estimates on him are 2 years, ~ $25M, with the possibility for a third option year. Also, though he is a Type A free agent, I highly doubt he is offered arbitration, as he'd be in line for way too much money. Would you be interested?
• Finally, Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLB Trade Rumors penned his Yankees' "Offseason Outlook." Of what he discussed, what would you be interested in?