MLB Trade Rumors: C.C. Sabathia, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett

As each day goes by, the Yankees 6 year-$140 million offer to CC Sabathia looks more and more like CC wants to pitch closer to home. Tonight, we hear that Hal Steinbrenner has assigned a deadline to the offer to Sabathia. Here are the facts:

• Sabathia has been offered a 4 or 5 year deal for $100 million by the Milwaukee Brewers
• Sabathia has been offered a 6 year deal for $140 million by the New York Yankees
• He lives in Southern California
• He likes to hit. He apparently hit the 2nd longest HR at Dodger Stadium this year-a 440 ft blast.
• He has yet to accept either offer
• He will get pressure from the MLBPA to take the Yankees offer
• There are countless rumors, not facts, that he doesn't want to pitch in NY

So what kind of offer will he accept from the Dodgers or Giants, who presumably are either in or out of the Sabathia sweepstakes based on who you read? It may be that the Giants are in just to push up the price for the Dodgers. Again, they already invested more than $120 million in Zito, and already have a talented rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathon Sanchez.

Would a 5 year deal for $120 million from a California team do the trick-an AAV of $24 million/year? At the end of this contract, he would be 33 years old, ready for another 4 or 5 year deal, should he stay healthy.

Let's assume Sabathia does not sign with the Yankees as the facts "seem" to point in that direction at this time. How fast will Steinbrenner meet A.J. Burnett's demands for a 5 year deal, and give Derek Lowe Barry Zito-money of $16 million/year??

I think if Sabathia signs anywhere other than with the NY Yankees, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe will get two of the worst contracts this offseason, as the teams looking for another starting pitcher will bid these two pitchers beyond their value. Burnett's contract could be Zito-esque in terms of worst contracts. With Lowe, I don't see anyone going beyond 3 years, maybe with a 4th year team option.