Per ESPN:   http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3759182

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney the deal offered by the Yankees is now worth $160 million over seven years -- the most money ever paid a pitcher in major league history. The team had originally offered six years and $140 million.

 While a deal is not yet done, a source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark there are "zero major road blocks" that would prevent the Yankees from reaching agreement with Sabathia. Not all terms of the deal are agreed to yet, the source indicated. Sabathia also would need to take a physical.

 The New York Post first reported Wednesday that Sabathia, the prize of this year's free-agent class, had decided to go with the Yankees after fielding offers from a number of teams.

 Sabathia had been courted by the Milwaukee Brewers, the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox. The Los Angeles Dodgers said that Sabathia, who lives in California, had expressed interest in playing there, too, although the team did not publicly make him an offer.

Also MLB.com:  http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081210&content_id=3710546&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp

Inevitable...

EDIT:  I wonder if they'll waive the usual requirements of said physical.

According to WSCR-670 in Chicago, Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin has been traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Sean Gallagher and catching prospect Josh Donaldson.

Jim Hendry's got a press conference going right now.

MLB Link (better than Sun Times)

I find this to be a solid deal for both teams.  Billy Beane must not think his boys can do it this year.  Talk about a guy that's not afraid to pull the trigger.

Matthew's Edit for 75 words: As much as I want Bedard on the 2009 team, I'd be on the phone to St. Louis right now seeing how desperate they feel with Milwaukee landing Sabathia and Chicago nabbing Harden.

No I don't have an insider scoop to such a rumor but I did attend a Thunderbirds/Chiefs game recently and enjoyed myself thoroughly.  The attendance was impressive, the noise was impressive...I wonder if there is a chance that the NHL might consider expanding into our fair city and if they would consider Key Arena a place that could support a NHL franchise?

Would you be interested/support an NHL franchise here?  After seeing that game, which went into overtime and took the fourth shot of a Spokane player in sudden death to secure a 5-4 victory...I know I would.