That the Yankees were bold enough to offer free agent P CC Sabathia $140 million dollars before another club had budged was bold enough, and certainly in stark contrast to the Bombers watching Johan Santana head to Flushing last winter. But who knew Hankenstein and Cashman were compelling enough pitchmen to convince Sabathia the Bronx is located somewhere in Southern California? From the NY Daily News’ Bill Madden.

Brian Cashman went to San Francisco and got his man early Wednesday morning, bagging free-agent lefty, CC Sabathia. The Daily News has learned the deal is believed to be a record-setting 7-year, $160 million contract.

The Yanks had originally offered Sabathia a 6-year, $140 deal in November.

Cashman left the winter meetings Tuesday afternoon to meet with Sabathia and his wife in his home in San Francisco, after getting postive vibes from the pitcher about playing in New York.

Cashman was heading back here for the winter meetings and was expected to resume negotiations with the agents for free-agent pitchers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

In the case of Lowe, the Yanks are believed to have a four-year offer with a possible trigger for a fifth year, and in Burnett’s case, they have an offer superior to the reported 4-year, $60 million offer he has from the Atlanta Braves.

Yahoo’s Tim Brown and Gordon Edes have further details about Sabathia’s pact, the fourth largest in baseball history.

The deal, according to a source close to negotiations, gives Sabathia the right to opt out of the contract after the first three years, by which time he will have been paid $69 million. Sabathia appreciated the clause because it satisfied concerns he had about living in New York and the impact it might have on his wife and three children.

He will make his opt-out decision after the 2011 season with four years and $92 million remaining on the deal, at which time he could renegotiate, leave or stay.