Very weird atmosphere for the Winter Meetings… at one point the hotel tried to put up velvet ropes to keep the press out of the way, then apparently someone told them that that was not acceptable, so the ropes went away about an hour later.  Usually, there is a big lobby where people can sit, so you can casually sit down next to folks and either introduce yourself, that doesn’t exist at a hotel in Vegas.  In Vegas, they want you to sit, but they only want you to sit while you gamble, so the only chairs are at tables or slot machines.  Very inconvenient… it also leads to people standing where you don’t want them to, when its there job to wait to get information for a story.

Anyway, couple of quick rumors that are floating around.  The Yankees may or may not have gone to 5 years on AJ Burnett. From what I understand, its unlikely that Burnett is going to make any deal until CC Sabathia is signed, because if CC goes to a west coast team, the Yankees will be desperate to sign Burnett and so the figure goes way up.  I, personally, also think CC is going to sign until Teixeira also signs.  Why do I say that?  Because the Angels want Tex, but if they don’t get him then they have more money to spend and will pay a premium for CC.  (Truth is the Angels could sign both.)

Though, apparently Theo said he doesn’t anticipate anything getting done here, the Red Sox are still expected to get into the Teixeira bidding war.  The other rumor, which apparently the Daily News will be reporting is that the Yanks may offer Ben Sheets a two year contract. That can’t hurt, two years is definitely worth a shot anyway. So that’s about it for tonight.  Have a few more stories to share tomorrow.