TSN: Justice: Yanks sure could use their other closer in Sabathia derby

It’s about time Jack Aker got some credit!

Maybe Joe Torre could have closed the deal with CC Sabathia. After all, he has a great reputation with players.

Perhaps he could have convinced Sabathia that pitching for the Yankees would be a wonderful experience. If Torre could change Mike Mussina’s mind about the Yankees, he might be able to change Sabathia’s.

...Now, as the Yankees nervously await an answer from Sabathia, as they debate whether to throw still more money at him, it’s one of those times where Hank Steinbrenner’s decision to show Torre the door looks more foolish than ever.

The Yankees have millions to throw at free agents this winter, but so far no player has jumped at the money. There’s a sense among some agents that a lot of players don’t want to play for the Yankees.

That gossip could be a bargaining tool, or it could reflect how much less appealing the Yankees have become in the post-Torre era.