When a superstar like Jennifer Lopez wants to shop in a jewelry store, they'll sometimes close down the place, so J-Lo can have her choice of all the baubles in the place, unfettered, unbothered, a market of one.
And as baseball's free agent period begins, think of the Yankees as J-Lo.
More than $80 million in expiring contracts is coming off their books, and millions more will be pouring in when the new Yankee Stadium opens next year, at a time when most other teams are fretting about the economy. If they want Mark Teixeira, they have the financial might to crush offers from other teams -- but it seems as if they like Teixeira, but not to the point where they'll make him a 10-year offer.
| Olney's news and notes |
• Nats to make play for Teixeira
• Kerry Wood is done with Cubs
• Giants check in with Sabathia
• Peavy deal still on hold
• D-Backs, Big Unit reach impasse
Around the majors with Buster Olney 
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No, they've got their eye on the biggest free-agent prize on the diamond, a player with a glistening record as a pitcher and as a person:
CC Sabathia.
As the saying goes, if you have to look at the price tag, you probably can't afford the cost, and other teams will shudder at the Sabathia price tag, as set by the Yankees. Today, they are expected to offer Sabathia a record-setting deal, right out of the gate.
The highest multi-year deal ever given to a pitcher was signed by
Johan Santana. For six years, he received a deal that in present-day value is gauged at about $20.5 million per year; on its face, without accounting for the loss of value because of deferred money, the Santana contract was for $137.5 million.
No matter which standard you want to use, the Yankees intend to surpass it. The deal they will offer Sabathia will be for more than the present-day value of $20.5 million per year, and it will be worth more than the $137.5 million, with deferrals included. The Yankees' first offer will be for something in the range of $140-$142 million.
They know they have to take it to that level. They know that there will be a New York surcharge for them to lure Sabathia out of his home state, away from the Dodgers or the Angels or the Giants. They know that they may have to increase their initial offer.
Folks with other teams don't know how Sabathia possibly can turn down the Yankees' offer. But regardless of whether the Yankees sign him or not, their intention is to plow ahead and pursue other pitchers, as well. If they can sign Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, they will do so. If they can sign Sabathia and Derek Lowe, they will do it. If they can sign Burnett and Lowe, they will do it. If they can sign Sabathia and Burnett and Lowe, they will do it. If they can sign Sabathia, Burnett and Andy Pettitte, they will do that. They have the room to themselves, and their choices will largely dictate what leftovers will remain for others to choose from.
The
Jays will have to sit and wait for A.J. Burnett to make a decision, writes Richard Griffin.
The acquisition of Nick Swisher is only the latest sign that the Yankees' pursuit of Teixeira will be measured; they will have their limits, which might be for a six-year deal for something in the area of $18 million a year. And Scott Boras has indicated to interested parties that he wants a 10-year deal.
The deal shows that
Brian Cashman values payroll flexibility, writes Ken Davidoff.
Each offseason move impacts others that will follow, but with that in mind, here's a guesstimate as to where the top free agents will land:
Sabathia: Yankees
Teixeira: Angels
Burnett: Yankees
Manny Ramirez: Nationals
• One more general manager indicated privately that the strategy of his team has changed over the past six weeks, as the economic signs have worsened. At one point, the intention of this executive was to aggressively shop this winter, but now, he says, "We're going to be very careful. We probably will just sit back and wait."
As mentioned Thursday, a different GM guesstimates, based on his conversations with teams throughout baseball, that about 20 clubs will have their options altered for the worse by the economy.
Around the majors with Buster Olney
Buster Olney
