"After telling ESPN that every effort will be exhausted in order to keep CC Sabathia a Yankee, agent Brian Peters backed off a bit when reached by The Post yesterday.

Asked if he believed a deal could be worked out where the Yankees' ace remains in pinstripes, Peters said, "I really don't want to comment one way or another."

With Sabathia away on vacation, no talks have started with the Yankees. Sabathia can opt out of the final four years and $92 million on his contract three days after the World Series ends."