Settle down, fellas

I've gotten a number of emails and IM's wondering any number of things related to the Yanks and Sabathia:

• Why hasn't he signed?
• Doesn't this look bad for the Yanks?
• What if the Yanks don't get any of the big pitchers available?
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• The incredible pet nail trimmer
• Increase you income by becomming a Sociologist!

The last three are actual emails, scary as it might seem (I didn't print any of the adult-themed ones!).

Ten things to consider:

1. Sabathia would rather be in California, all things equal. So would I, if the truth be told.
2. All things are not equal; the Yanks can pay more than anyone and will likely do so.
3. Sabathia might really test the "It's About The Money, Stupid" mantra
4. Sabathia is taking his time on this major life decision. He has that right and good for him to take it. It might be a no-brainer for you and I, but he should be allowed the time to make up his mind. The last thing I'd want is for him to suffer from buyer's remorse.
5. Sabathia is probably hoping to see either LA team make an offer, though it appears the Dodgers won't have the wherewithal to do so.
6. His hometown Giants have just overpaid for Renteria and do not appear to have the pockets to pay two pitchers (CC and Zito) a combined $40+ million.
7. I don't think this reflects negatively on the Yanks; if they were located in LA, this would have been done already.
8. The Yanks are not the destination they were in 2000, 2001, 2002, when they were making regular World Series appearances. The team is getting old. The beat writers are incessantly negative towards everyone but Mo and Jeter. Ownership is erratic, and that might be a very kind term to call Hank and Hal. And they play in the AL East, home of the reigning AL Champs and the 2007 World Series Champs. It's rough out there.
9. The economy really IS in the crapper and really WILL affect ALL teams, Yanks included. Even with the new palace.
10. THE WINTER MEETINGS HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED YET! Folks, we all want the news faster than ever but give these things the chance to run their natural course.

Cashman is out West, talking to Boras and reportedly scheduled to chat with Sabathia. Take a deep breath.

Sabathia is a different case entirely, and the reason he is stalling, to those who know him, is just as the general manager suspected: his first choice is not New York. Sabathia is from Vallejo, Calif., near the Bay Area, and it is well known that his preference is to play for a team on the West Coast. But the money is elsewhere.

"It's not that he doesn't want to be a Yankee; that's not it at all," said a friend of Sabathia's, who was granted anonymity because Sabathia had not authorized him to speak on his behalf. "It's just the aspect of being out there, his family, that kind of stuff."

Like I have said regarding Peavy, don't count out the Yanks until the ink is drying on some other team's letterhead. Until then, kick back, relax. It's Friday, the weekend is in sight.