CC meeting went “great”

According to Buster Olney, that’s exactly how it went (it’s not the best evaluation, but it’s passable). Also, Joel Sherman reports that Brian Cashman brought Joe Girardi and, wait for it (…), Reggie Jackson with him to the meeting with CC Sabathia (the meeting has been dubbed an “informational” one). Reggie is great at talking up NY and what it means to player in the Bronx. Hopefully he had a positive effect on CC’s decision making process.

Speaking of his decision making process, that process has now been further complicated by the Brewers. Jon Heyman reiterates the rumor that Milwaukee is open to increasing their 5-year offer of $100 million to 6 years and $110-120 million. I’d be surprised if Milwaukee stays in this thing. They’ll be providing salary increases to Prince Fielder and Corey Hart, among others, and by engaging CC this way, they’ll be playing a dangerous game for a team with an already stretched payroll. In addition, George King believes that they could get creative and find other ways to entice CC by adding a 3-year opt-out clause in his contract. Honestly, I don’t think CC would go for that, as he appears to be pretty invested in a long-term situation rather than bouncing around every few years (the opt-out may actually help the Brewers more than CC). Ken Rosenthal points out that the Brewers probably won’t consider raising the offer or “getting creative” until they meet with CC, face-to-face.