Hank Steinbrenner admitted on Thursday that the Yankees are keeping on eye on pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett as the off-season approaches, according to New York Daily News. Sabathia will become a free agent this winter, and Burnett is expected to opt out of his contract with the Blue Jays to enter the market. "Everybody is looking at Sabathia and Burnett, not just us," Steinbrenner. "We?ll see. I mean, our main concern is, are their arms going to be okay after this season?" The Yankees could also look at Sabathia's Milwaukee teammate Ben Sheets.

Jorge Cantu has had a great comeback season, and though he hasn't discussed a contract for 2009, he will surely enjoy a pay raise. "He sure has put himself in a good position whether it's with us or somebody else," Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's made himself a pretty good commodity." RealGM Note: Cantu is 258th in season FIC and has a Reina Value of +600%, making just $500k but 'deserving' $3.5 million.

CC Sabathia's first choice when he becomes a free agent is to go home to play for the Giants, one executive who knows him well told SI.com. The Giants are believed to be more likely to pursue a big bat this winter as they already have quite a few quality starting pitchers such as Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain and have been burned by the monster contract they gave Barry Zito.

Toronto righthander A.J. Burnett claims that he hasn't yet decided on whether or not he'll opt out of his contract at the end of the year, according to The Philadelphia Daily News. However, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston doesn't appear optimistic about having Burnett return. "It certainly looks like A.J. won't be here," Gaston said. Burnett is 16-9 with a 4.51 ERA in 171 2/3 innings this season.

The most important free-agent signing for the Cubs this winter will be Ryan Dempster. Dempster, who signed a three-year, $15.5 million deal in the final weekend of '05, understands GM Jim Hendry's position. "I want to play for the Cubs and will just see what happens," Dempster said. "I'm just trying to win a World Series more than anything else." RealGM Note: Dempster currently is 10th in the MLB amongst starters in season FIC and 'deserves' to be making $15.1 million, giving him a Reina Value of +106%.

The Indians are one team likely to consider Jason Giambi ? they could sign him to play first base, keep Victor Martinez at catcher and possibly trade catcher Kelly Shoppach for a top-of-the-rotation starter. Other possibilities for Giambi could include the Mariners, Blue Jays, or A's.

Bronson Arroyo shed some light on what Adam Dunn will be looking for this winter in free agency. "A little bit because it came after the deadline," said Arroyo when asked if he was surprised by the trade. "But he was going to be moved no matter what. I don't know if he told (the media), but he made it was no secret to us that he was looking for $100 to $120 million contract. I don't think this franchise is going to give out that kind of contract."

Even with Carlos Lee on the disabled list, the Astros insist that slugger Barry Bonds isn't an option, according to The Houston Chronicle. "I don?t see us pursuing that," Astros' General Manager Ed Wade said Sunday. Lee leads the National League with 100 RBIs, but the team will not take on Bonds' baggage to fill that gap. "I don?t think that?s a possibility," Manager Cecil Cooper said. "Not that he?s not a good player, (but) I don?t think that?s someone we?re interested in."

The Tigers are one of many teams that still appear interested in free agent starter Freddy Garcia, according to The Detroit Free Press. He is expected to sign a contract with one of his many suitors within the next few days.

Sources close to Manny Ramirez claim that the outfielder would like to sign a free-agent deal with the Yankees this winter, according to The New York Post. "He wants to play for the Yankees so he can get at the Red Sox," a close friend of Ramirez's told The Post. Manny will become a free agent after the World Series and is a New York native.