NEW YORK — Free-agent season opened Friday with the New York Yankees planning to give CC Sabathia a record offer for a pitcher.
Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner confirmed Friday night that an offer was made to Sabathia, and that proposals will be forthcoming for pitchers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.
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.
Sabathia went a combined 17-10 for Cleveland and Milwaukee this year after winning the 2007 AL Cy Young Award, and is considered the best starting pitcher in this year’s free-agent class.
Francisco Rodriguez tops the available relief pitchers, a group that also includes Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood. Agent Paul Kinzer said he had received inquiries from four teams about K-Rod, who saved a record 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels.
Among the 171 players who filed for free agency are high-profile players including: pitchers Ryan Dempster and Trevor Hoffman; first basemen Jason Giambi and Mark Teixeira; outfielders Garret Anderson, Bobby Abreu, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez; catchers Jason Varitek and Ivan Rodriguez; and third baseman Casey Blake.
Federer falls to Murray
SHANGHAI, China — Andy Murray defeated Roger Federer in a Masters Cup match, rallying for a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory that raised his career record against the Swiss star to 4-2.
“A win over Roger Federer means almost as much as winning the Masters Cup to me,” the fourth-ranked Briton said.
Federer saved seven match points while serving at 4-5 in a game that lasted 17 minutes and went to deuce 10 times. Murray converted his next chance two games later, breaking when Federer sent a forehand long.
Murray will face Nikolay Davydenko in the semifinals.
Stanford leads Ochoa event
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Angela Stanford shot a 6-under-par 66 in the second round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational to take a two-stroke lead over LPGA Championship winner Yani Tseng.
Stanford had a 10-under 134 total. Tseng, No. 2 in the world behind Ochoa, shot her second straight 68. Ochoa followed her opening 73 with a 71 on her home course, leaving her 10 strokes back.
• Golf legend Seve Ballesteros is likely to be released from intensive care next week following brain surgery on a malignant tumor.
The 51-year-old Spaniard underwent a 6 1/2-hour operation on Oct. 24 to remove the brain tumor and reduce swelling around the brain. Tour de Georgia scuttles 2009 race
ATLANTA — The Tour de Georgia canceled its 2009 race because of financial struggles, yet plans to return in 2010. The race has not been able to find a title sponsor the last two years. The Associated Press
