"With both sides highly motivated to get a deal done, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and the agent for ace CC Sabathia will try to complete a new contract this weekend in an effort to prevent the left-hander from becoming a free agent, according to baseball officials with knowledge of the situation.

Sabathia, 31, can opt out of the final four years and $92 million of his current deal. If he were to opt out of his current contract, he would be free to negotiate with all of the major league clubs by the end of next week.

Both sides have their reasons to want to complete a contract as early as possible. The Yankees know that Sabathia is currently irreplaceable. In his three years with the Yankees, he has won 59 games and led them to the 2009 World Series.

If the Yankees were to finish Sabatha's contract sooner than later, it would also allow them to more smoothly execute the rest of their offseason plan.

Last year, the Yankees' winter was held up by Cliff Lee's decision-making process. Lee, ultimately, turned down the Yankees.

Sabathia has grown to love playing in New York. His wife and kids have established roots in their New Jersey community. Sabathia's fondness for the Bronx was such that he considered not using the opt-out clause. Now, at the least, he will use it as leverage."