Now what?

I was set to get started on a whole "who's next?" posting, but came across this, which does a pretty good job of answering that question. I'll get to this deeper in a bit as I am still trying to sift thru the rubble of the Sabathia 'quake.

CC Sabathia has agreed to terms with the Yankees. If that wasn't enough to get fans excited for next year's rotation (judging by comments it is), then perhaps news of A.J. Burnett's pending pinstripes will only fortify faith in the 2009 season.

The Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano grazed the subject of A.J. Burnett while covering the winter meetings in Las Vegas:

Cashman also met Tuesday with free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett. The Yankees are preparing a four-year, $64 million offer to Burnett, hoping to top the four-year, $60 million deal the Braves offered him. They'd like to sign both Sabathia and Burnett (or Derek Lowe, if Burnett goes elsewhere) and may not stop there.

Newsday also suggests the Yankees may look to better the Braves:

The Braves' offer is believed to be for four years and $60-million with a vesting option. A Yankees source said, "We can do better." And they plan to. That will likely mean guaranteeing the fifth year of the pact.

I've said many times that I like Burnett's AL East track record but his injury history is being glossed over. I LOVE Burnett at 3 years, like at 4, hate at 5. That's my range on Burnett. For Sheets (and Lowe), it's LOVE at 1 year, like at 2, hate at 3.