Brewers Still in the CC Sabathia Sweepstakes

As previously reported, Brian Cashman is scheduled to meet with CC Sabathia's agent, Greg Genske, sometime today in Las Vegas.

Most people assumed Cashman set up the meeting to pressure Sabathia into accepting New York's six-year, $140 million offer, but Bill Madden of the New York Daily News cites an unnamed source who claims Genske scheduled the meeting in an attempt to buy more time while looking for another deal.

According to Madden's source, the stalling tactic might be putting Genske's entire career on the line:

"If he blows this deal, he's dead as an agent. For one thing, who's going to approach that $140 million if the Yankees are out of it? Sabathia winds up with a deal $20 million less than Barry Zito? Like I said, (Genske's) dead."

If Cashman pulls his offer, the next best deal on the table is Milwaukee's five-year, $100 million deal. (For context, Zito signed for $126 million in 2006, but that was a seven-year deal with an annual salary worth $2 million less than Milwaukee's offer.) The Giants have reportedly offered $110 million over six years, but even if it's true, the $18.3 annual salary falls short of Sabathia's other offers.

What exactly is Genske waiting for? According to the New York Post's George King, the Brewers might still "sweeten the pot and offer 'contract flexibility' that could include an opt-out clause after three seasons." Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman confirms as much, saying Sabathia "has told friends he is expecting the Brewers to upgrade" their offer.

Cashman can't afford to wait forever, not as the rest of the big leagues takes aim at the other free agent pitchers -- don't be surprised if a decision is made this week.