“We talked about it,” Sabathia said about his conversation with fellow southpaw, according to the Daily News.
“I think he knows what we are and how good an organization it is. And how we can win,” he added. “So now it's kind of all up to him now. But he knows how I feel about it.”
Sabathia and Lee were teammates on the Cleveland Indians from 2002 to midway through the 2008 season, when Sabathia was traded away to the Milwaukee Brewers. Lee was traded a year later to the Philadelphia Phillies, but not before the duo each won a Cy Young Award while in Cleveland—Sabathia in 2007, and Lee in 2008.
“I talk to him a lot – he's a friend,” the Daily News quoted Sabathia as saying. “I've talked to Cliff recently, but nothing about contracts. I just wanted to make sure he's all right and hope he makes the right decision. But I'll call him and see what's happening and what he's going to do.”
On Thursday, the Yankees reportedly offered Lee a seven-year contract as part of their ongoing negotiations with the former Rangers lefty. Rumors swirled that the annual price offered per season was in the $20 to $23 million range.
The Rangers are the main competitor in the Lee sweepstakes, but the Nationals and Angels are also considered to be dark horse candidates for Lee’s services. Lee likely won’t sign for a few days, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported in a tweet.
