Sabathia still Yankees' top target

If you were wondering whether the Yankees still held out hope that CC Sabathia might be playing in New York, here's the answer. GM Brian Cashman made his first priority at the Las Vegas winter meets visiting face-to-face with Sabathia to learn the pitcher's interest in playing for the Yankees. A six-year, $140-million offer would seem to prove the Yankees are interested in him.

If Cashman believes that Sabathia simply doesn't want to play for the Yankees, he could shift his attention swiftly to first baseman Mark Teixeira, whom Cashman met last Thursday in the Washington, D.C. area.

Although Cashman has emphasized the team's need for pitching this offseason, it seems the Yankees are going to let themselves get outbid by Atlanta for A.J. Burnett. And Derek Lowe is not close to signing with anyone.

A California native and resident, Sabathia would prefer playing in his home state, as well as the National League; he enjoyed hitting during his brief time with the Brewers. But neither the Dodgers nor the Giants appear to have the payroll space, and the Angels are prioritizing Teixeira.

I think Sabathia is going to end up in Southern California. Just a hunch. The Dodgers will probably have to get creative to get it done.

Cashman on Joba: very little

Brian Cashman plays the boring card in his first public comments on Joba Chamberlain's run in with the law.

"He's part of our family," Cashman said. "We're going to support him, but at the same time, he knows that stuff like this can't happen."

Nebraska police arrested Chamberlain on Oct. 18 for suspicion of driving under the influence, speeding and carrying an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Chamberlain faces a court date next month, and Cashman wouldn't comment on whether or not the Yankees plan to independently discipline their pitcher.

"The police are out there doing a good job," Cashman said. "Obviously, on that day, they showed up and did good, stopping Joba from putting himself and other people further in harm's way."

Yawn.