After agreeing to a contract extension with the Yankees, CC Sabathia says he never wanted to actively explore the open market as a free agent this winter. He signed a one-year, $25 million contract extension that includes a $5 million buyout. Sabathia is now under contract through at least 2016, and New York has a vesting option for another season. "I was confident that we would get to an agreement," Sabathia said. "I wanted to stay here, I wanted to be here, I loved it here. I love pitching here, I love being a part of the Yankees organization, and I'm so happy to be able to come to an agreement." Sabathia, 31, had until midnight on Tuesday to exercise his opt-out clause, which would have voided the remaining four years and $92 million on a seven-year, $161 million deal signed before the 2009 season. He is 59-23 with a 3.18 ERA over his three seasons with the Yankees. "I didn't want to be a part of that being a free agent and doing everything, opting out and all that stuff," Sabathia said. "It was clear to everybody that I wanted to be a Yankee, wanted to end my career as a Yankee. Hopefully, I've done that."