The most compelling sign came Tuesday afternoon, when general manager Brian Cashman left the winter meetings and flew to meet with Sabathia and his wife in Northern California ? apparently at the left-hander?s request, according to a source with knowledge of the trip.

The sense around the Yankees was that Sabathia, 28, had grown more at ease with the idea of living in New York following two meetings with club officials.

Sabathia, according to a source, wanted Cashman to detail some of the quality-of-life issues with his family. The Sabathias have three young children.

"CC, he can definitely handle New York," said Angels center fielder Torii Hunter, who has known Sabathia since they were kids. "If he doesn?t sign with New York, that won?t be the reason why. [If] he?s not going to sign with New York, [it?s] because he loves the West Coast.

"I think it?s important for CC to play on the West Coast," Hunter said. "But at the same time, there can always be change, and the Yankees are [trying to do] that."

On Sunday, Sabathia reportedly ran into Los Angeles general manager Ned Colletti, and the California resident professed his wish to be a Dodger.

"That certainly teases you," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said about the Sabathia statement. "But there?s a long way between wanting to and going to."

While the Yankees have feared the notion of a Sabathia-free staff, they have been engaged with the remaining starters on their wish list.

Yankees officials are sorting through the medical records on Ben Sheets, but no offer has been made. Derek Lowe also remains a primary interest, but a more immediate target is A.J. Burnett.

The Baseball official said that the Yankees would be certain to top the Atlanta Braves? reported offer of $60 million over four years ? probably with an annual average salary of $16 million ? though no official Yankee offer has been made.

The Yankees remain unwilling to guarantee a fifth year for Burnett. While the Blue Jays reportedly have faded from consideration, the Orioles, Phillies and Red Sox are linked to interest in Burnett, who went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA last year, with 231 strikeouts in 221 1/3 innings.

Burnett turns 32 next month and has a history of elbow issues, but his toughness in the AL East certainly caught the Yanks? attention.

Against the Yanks and Red Sox in 2008, Burnett was a combined 5-1 with a 2.05 ERA. Agent Darek Braunecker would not categorize any club?s specific interest, but said that "overall the process is starting to advance."

By late in the afternoon, Braunecker had no set plans to meet with Yankees officials, but that could change. On Monday, Cashman and manager Joe Girardi met with Sheets and his representatives.

"It was good to talk to him about his health, his routine. He was a very open young man. He was impressive," Girardi said of Sheets, who missed his final two starts last season due to an elbow strain.

"He?s had some injuries, he?s had back issues," Girardi said of the oft-injured Sheets. "But when he?s on the mound, he?s been dynamite."

Sheets, 30, went 13-9, with a 3.09 ERA for Milwaukee last season. The Yankees are thinking in terms of a two-year deal, but, obviously, Sabathia, Burnett and Lowe remain at a higher priority.

While the Yankees are deeply focused on starting pitching, the Red Sox? strong preference is to sign first baseman Mark Teixeira.