The strongest message, though, clearly is being sent to Sabathia. As the Post reported Thursday, making a swift, overwhelming offer is designed to accomplish two things: 1. Assert in the strongest way just how serious they are about Sabathia's services. 2. With that approach, work to dissuade Sabathia of his desire to play on the West Coast and/or in the NL where he can hit.

The Yanks are not deluding themselves. They know there is a form of bribery going on here. They recognize all things being equal, Sabathia would prefer to be a Dodger, Angel or Giant. So they want to make sure that all things — notably the money — are not equal.

The expectation — despite some posturing — is that the Angels are front-runners to retain Mark Teixeira and the Dodgers to retain Manny Ramirez. That would work to the Yanks' great assistance because it almost certainly would eliminate either team from pursuing Sabathia, too. Even if the Angels and the Dodgers are in on Sabathia, it would seem unlikely either would go where the Yanks are willing to go financially to make a deal with the ace lefty.

So Sabathia probably would have to leave a substantial amount of money on the table to avoid The Bronx, and the Yanks are hoping that the differential will be just too great for Sabathia to reject.

Even while waiting for Sabathia's response, the Yanks also will begin a more serious courtship with Lowe and Burnett. Several sources say Lowe actually tops the Red Sox's wish list, and his familiarity with Boston (he played there from 1997-2004) probably gives the Red Sox an edge in what is expected to be a deep field that also will include the Mets.

The Yanks do not envision that they can sign Sabathia, Lowe and Burnett. Ideally, they see signing Sabathia and either Lowe or Burnett, and then convincing Pettitte to come back on a pretty significant pay cut from the $16 million he earned in 2008.

They currently anticipate that Mike Mussina will retire, but if he changes his mind, that could alter his plans.

Bart Hubbuch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

New York Yankees News News » Yanks' opening pitch to Sabathia is record-setting
Yanks' opening pitch to Sabathia is record-setting
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