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Report: Yankees Willing to Give C.C. Sabathia Six-Year Deal

The New York Yankees are believed to be willing to offer top starter C.C. Sabathia a five or six-year contract extension, according to the New York Post.

Leading up to the 2011 offseason there has been great speculation that the former Cy Young award winner will exercise the opt-out clause of the seven-year $161 million dollar deal he signed with the Yankees in 2009. His current contract promises the veteran lefty $23 million per year until 2015, however there are many who believe if Sabathia opts out now, he could land a longer contract and earn more money annually.

According to the Post, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is willing to give Sabathia a raise on his annual salary and extend his contract by two or three years. The Post indicates however that New York may be hesitant to sign him to a deal longer than six years due to his age (31), and his ever-growing weight.

In 2011 the left-hander led the first place Yankees in wins (19), ERA (3.00), and strikeouts (230). A five-time All-Star, Sabathia has led the league in wins twice since becoming a Yankee, and has supplied them with over 705 innings pitched in three seasons.