Now the ball is in CC's court.......

The word is six years, $140 million.

That's supposedly what the Yanks have offered CC Sabathia - their initial bid to bring the lefty in.

I can't imagine anyone else coming close to that number so, honestly, I think it is probably just a matter of time. I just can't imagine that the siren call of the west coast is so great that CC would leave anywhere between $20 to $30 million on the table.

I fully expect team Sabathia to do their due diligence, shop the offer around, and potentially squeeze another year, or a few million more out of the Steinbrenners, but with this "shock and awe" strategy I think it is pretty obvious that the Yanks want this ended right here and right now.

Okay, so let's make this leap of faith and assume that CC, after a bit of negotiating, signs on the dotted like and gets himself a nice XXXL Pinstripe jersey for Christmas. Where next?

In my last post I already laid out my belief that the Yanks can't just simply ignore the starting lineup now that they have brought in Nick Swisher. I would still love for them to pursue Mark Teixeira but I have a sneaky suspicion that Mark will be back with the Angels next year, so that would leave the Yanks with some trade options. I think they could get something done by dangling an Ian Kennedy, a Melky Cabrera, even a Johnny Damon in some sort of three-way deal, and could get themselves a corner outfielder. I think it would take Phil Hughes to pry Nate McClouth away from the Pirates and, if the Yanks weren't willing to give up Hughes for Johan Santana last year, how could they justify doing it for a nice, but not franchise-changing player like McClouth? Instead, I think the Yanks could pry an Andre Ethier or Jeremy Hermida away from an NL team, go with Gardner in center, and call it a day. Oh, and one more thing.........Mike Cameron is not the answer, I'm sorry. Please don't blow prospects on Mike Cameron simply because you want to "hold a spot" for Austin Jackson in another year. I would rather have Gardner out there and a very good corner outfielder than have Cameron out there, whose only claim to fame will be that he "doesn't cost much" and "isn't under contract past this year." Please, this is not the NBA. Having expiring contracts is not gold. They need to get younger, they need to give Gardner a chance, and if EVERYONE works out, then you deal with what to do with Jackson next year, if he is even ready for the jump.

The more interesting question is what the Yanks plan to do with Andy Pettitte. It seems odd to me that there has been no movement on the Pettitte front. Instead, the Yanks seem to be waiting to make offers to BOTH Burnett and Lowe. Why?

First, I think Lowe is going to end up back with Boston. They seem to really want him, he would solidify that rotation, he knows the city, and word is he would like to go back to Beantown. The Sox, if they truly do want him, will make him an offer at or comparable to the Yanks. I see offering Lowe a contract and running up the price on the Sox, that seems to be a favorite past-time of both GM, but I don't have a lot of faith that Lowe will be a Bomber next year. Burnett, I think, is more likely, even though I am a little skeptical about his desire to come to the bright lights of NYC. Remember, he has played for Florida and Toronto, about as small market as it gets, and he is best friends with Carl Pavano. That fact alone should tell you a little about the man's character and I can't imagine that Pavano would be glowing in his recommedation for NY. But the Yanks seem to be smitten with Burnett and my guess is they may be willing to go higher than anyone else to land him. As with CC, it is hard to contemplate money not singing the final song for any of these free agents.

Pettitte didn't end the season very well at all, but Andy is still a proven veteran who knows NY and I believe has a lot left in the tank. Instead of bringing Andy back as a two or even three, you would be bringing him back as a four, even a five. That takes a lot of pressure off of him to perform at a HIGH level throughout the course of the year. If you look at Andy's numbers and compare them to back-end rotation guys from around the league, he is easily in the top percent, and one would have to assume that Pettitte would be able to rebound somewhat.

Look, I understand that sentimentality never won a game in any sport, but I don't think signing Pettitte is strictly a case of nostalgia. He is a lefty, he still has years left in the tank, and he provides veteran leadership. Plus, Pettitte is only going on a year-by-year basis right now and, if the Yanks are as set in their belief that Phil Hughes will prove to be as good as first imagined, doesn't it makes sense to bring back Pettitte, over either Burnett or Lowe?

This year, the Yanks watched Mike Mussina, who the world believed to be washed up, win 20 games for the first time in his career and be masterful from April to September. No one would expect such a performance from Pettitte, but is there any doubt that he could have such a resurgence, considering he is a lefty, and he is younger than Mussina?

If I had MY way, here would be the Yankee starting rotation for next year: CC Sabathia, Chien Mien Wang, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain. Two lefties, three guys under 30, and all proven winners, except for Joba. That's a winning five right there to me, with the likes of Hughes and/or Kennedy (whichever one isn't traded), Aceves, Chase Wright, or Dan McCutchen waiting in the wings in case of injury. Again, depth is what wins, and Pettitte gives depth, winning attitude, and veteran leadership, along with a desire to prove himself after a down year. Here's to hoping the Yanks do the right thing and bring him back.