The Yankees ace -- a possible free agent-to-be -- reiterated yesterday he loves being in New York. But while Sabathia admitted it would be hard to leave, that won't necessarily carry his decision.To me this sounds like a basic negotiating tactic. Does anyone really expect him to come out and say "Yes, I love NY and this is where I'm going to be" while costing himself millions in the process? That's not how things work these days. More importantly, that's not how agents work these days.
"Of course it would be [difficult to leave]. It was difficult for me to leave Milwaukee. But you understand that baseball is a business," Sabathia told The Post outside Yankee Stadium yesterday. "I do love it here. My family loves it here. But we'll have to wait and see what happens."
That Sabathia cited his time with the Brewers could be an ominous sign and an indicator the lefty is prepared to play hardball with the Yankees.
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The Yankees could try to pre-empt his opt-out by signing him to an extension, but Sabathia said the team has not reached out to him. Cashman confirmed the Yankees have not begun talking with the pitcher.
"Not yet. Just waiting to see," Sabathia said. "This is really the first day. Just waiting for the weekend to get over, so we'll see what happens."
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Sabathia lives in New Jersey, and he will be here during the offseason "[hanging] out with the family and [watching] some football."
Sabathia said he will not be visiting Yankee Stadium much, though.
"This will be the last time you see me here for a while," Sabathia said jokingly.
He's going to act like his open to anything--even if he isn't--to make sure he gets every last dollar out of this extension.