Joe Girardi said this week he'd enjoy showing free agents around the new Yankee Stadium. CC Sabathia is one of the players the New York manager has in mind for a tour of the spacious clubhouse, players lounge, indoor batting cage and underground hot tub.
Free-agent season opened with the Yankees planning to give Sabathia a record offer for a pitcher.
The Yankees formulated a proposal to the big lefty that would exceed Johan Santana's $137.5 million, six-year contract with the New York Mets both in total and average, a baseball official familiar with the negotiations said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to divulge details.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was to make the offer to Sabathia's agents, Greg Genske and Scott Parker, either yesterdayor in the next few days, the official said.
New York, whose streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances ended, also plans to make offers to pitchers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe, the official said.
Cashman and Genske did not return telephone calls seeking comment.
Pro baseball: Quentin says wrist is fine
White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin said his surgically repaired right wrist has responded well and he's been able to do some light hitting without any problems.
"Just kind of going through the normal routine in the offseason where I've just gotten back into hitting and I really haven't felt much of it during the swing," Quentin said during a conference call.
Quentin was leading the AL with 36 homers on Sept. 1 when he broke his wrist in a fit of frustration in Cleveland. After fouling off a pitch from Cliff Lee, he slapped his bat with his right hand while holding it with the left.
More pro baseball: Tigers raise ticket prices for some choice games
Tigers fans looking forward to seeing games against teams such as the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox will have to pay a little more next season.
The Tigers said they're raising ticket prices for choice seats to some select games.
The increase will range from $2 to $7 for 21 games, including the three-game series with the Cubs and Red Sox, Friday and Saturday games in June, July, and August, and opening day.
Economy: Gillette Stadium, home of Patriots, to cut staff
Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots, will lay off about 5 percent of its staff due to a drop-off in special event bookings.
Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the economic downturn has led to the layoffs, which will not affect the thousands of workers who tend to the crowds on gameday, or to the team's office staff.
Gillette Stadium was built by Patriots owner Robert Kraft with private financing. In addition to hosting the NFL team and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, the stadium is also available 365 days a year as a venue for conferences and other special events.
College basketball: BC's Rice suspended one game
Boston College senior point guard Tyrese Rice, the Atlantic Coast Conference's second-leading scorer last season, was suspended for the season opener against Central Connecticut for violating team rules.The school announced the suspension before tip-off, and said Rice would return for its next game, against Loyola (Md.) in the preseason NIT first round.
He has averaged 21.0 points per game, with five assists and 1.6 steals.
More college basketball: Florida guard Calathes ran up poker debt
Florida guard Nick Calathes ran up about $600 in debt playing poker online but did not bet on sporting events, which would have violated NCAA rules, according to a person close to the program.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of student confidentiality concerns, said the athletic department questioned Calathes and other Florida basketball players but found no evidence of wrongdoing.
College football: FSU homecoming dimmed by midweek brawl
Talk about Black Saturday.
Florida State players were excited about donning all black uniforms and asked fans to dress likewise for an 8 p.m. homecoming showdown with Boston College.
But as it turns out the attire may be fitting for the mood of many fans after the school's latest embarrassment involving athletes. Coach Bobby Bowden didn't wait for a police report this time, suspending five wide receivers for their roles in a midweek campus brawl that resulted in one innocent bystander being treated at a hospital.
