NEW YORK -- For CC Sabathia, theres no better place to pitch than Yankee Stadium. Jason Pominville Wild Jersey . The big left-hander decided to stay with New York rather than test the free-agent market, agreeing Monday to a new deal that adds $30 million and one season to his existing contract, giving him a package that pays $122 million over the next five years. "My son loves it here. All my kids love it here. My wife loves it here, obviously, and I do, too. I love pitching for the Yankee fans and everything, so it was the easy choice," Sabathia said during a conference call. The 31-year-old had until midnight to opt out of his current agreement, which had $92 million remaining over the next four years in $23 million annual salaries. New York added a $25 million salary for 2016 and gets a $25 million option for 2017 with a $5 million buyout. "It was just more time. Thats all it was. It was never a question about money or anything like that," Sabathia said. "I just want to end my career here. I want to make sure I end my career as a Yankee and, hopefully, Ive done that." Sabathia agreed to a $161 million, seven-year deal with New York before the 2009 season. He has gone 59-23 with a 3.18 ERA during the regular season for the Yankees. Sabathia headed a staff that included rookie Ivan Nova, injury prone Phil Hughes, inconsistent A.J. Burnett and surprise additions Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon. Without Sabathia, the Yankees rotation would have been in trouble. "CC is the ace of our pitching staff, a leader in our clubhouse and a driving force for the Yankees in our community," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. "He is exactly the type player and person that Yankees fans and this organization can be proud of. We are excited that he will be wearing the pinstripes for many years to come." When he signed with the Yankees after pitching for Cleveland (2001-08) and Milwaukee (2008), Sabathia moved his family from California, where he grew up in Vallejo, to Alpine, N.J. He said the key for him was his family "and making sure everything was kosher with them" with living in the New York area. Then he learned what it was like pitching in the $1.5 billion new Yankee Stadium. "The energy, what you get coming out the bullpen, the fans," he said. "Everything it is it is to be pitching in New York, in the Bronx. Its just so much fun. To be part of this organization is just a dream for me." Sabathias option becomes guaranteed if he does not end the 2016 season on the disabled list because of a left shoulder injury, does not spend more than 45 days of 2016 on the DL with a left shoulder injury or does not make six or more relief appearances in 2016 because of shoulder issues. He retains a hotel suite on trips, a no-trade provision and the right to buy tickets. Listed by the Yankees as 290 pounds, Sabathia lost weight going into spring training but appeared to gain it back this season. He went 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA but was 0-1 in his last three starts, then didnt get a decision in two post-season starts and allowed a key run in Game 5 against Detroit, when he made his first career relief appearance and New York was eliminated with a 3-2 loss. He plans on losing weight. "Its something I do regardless, and be proactive," he said. "I just need to go out and be healthy and try to do what I can to be up there for every start for this team. For me, that means losing weight, so thats what Ill do." Christian Folin Authentic Jersey . For now, Joe Girardi and the rest of the New York Yankees are just thankful they have the Japanese right-hander pitching like one of the best in baseball. Ryan Suter Authentic Jersey . -- Jermaine Marshall scored eight of his 29 points in the second overtime and Jordan Bachynski blocked T.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Steve Clifford isnt exactly singing his teams praises after the Bobcats won for the sixth time in seven games. In fact, the first-year head coach said hes a little concerned about his teams focus as the playoffs approach. "We havent been the same team the last two games," Clifford said. "Whether we exhaled after clinching (a playoff spot), or whatever it is, I dont know. Whatever it is, we have two games to get it back." The Bobcats held on to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 111-105 on Saturday behind 29 points and 12 rebounds from Al Jefferson, but it was far from an impressive victory. The win came on the heels of a costly loss at Boston Friday night that dropped the Bobcats back to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte (41-39) remains one game behind Washington in the race for the sixth seed with two games left. The Wizards defeated Milwaukee 104-91 on Saturday night. Jefferson said the Bobcats need to find their mojo with two tough games coming up to close the season — at Atlanta on Monday night and at home against Chicago on Wednesday. "I thought (the loss to Boston) would wake us up for this game, but I dont know whether it was a back-to-back, three games in four nights or what," Jefferson said. "... You could tell we were low energy. But we found a way to win, so thats the positive side of it." You cant blame Jefferson for the teams sudden funk. He has at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in each of the last six games, a franchise record. Luke Ridnour, starting in place of injured point guard Kemba Walker, had 12 points and eight assists in his first start for Charlotte. Clifford said he expects Walker to return from a groin injury Monday night. But he expressed plenty of confidence in Ridnour to handle the role when needed. "Were organized when Luke is in there," Clifford said. "He gets guys into their right spots. He has a high basketball IQ and he knows the NBA game." Michael Carter-Williams had 23 points and eight assists to lead the 76ers, who havee lost 16 of their last 17 games on the road. Matt Cooke Jersey. The same problem that haunted the Bobcats in their loss to Boston — poor defensive effort — hurt them early on against the 76ers. Philadelphia took a 59-56 at the break despite the Bobcats shooting 62 per cent from the field in the first half. Charlotte would begin to take control late in the third quarter, opening a double-digit lead behind a pair of 3-pointers from Ridnour and Chris Douglas-Roberts and some solid inside play from Cody Zeller. But ultimately the game came down to Philadelphias inability to stop Jefferson in the low post. Jefferson is averaging 26.1 points and 13 rebounds over the past six games and he showed again why hes an All-NBA team candidate. Jefferson had his way early on scoring 21 points in the first half on 10-of-13 shooting. He used his old-school style of play to make defenders Henry Sims and Byron Mullens look foolish at times by getting them to leave their feet with pump fakes, leading to easy up-and-under layups. "Hes got one of the best head fakes in the game, so its tough to defend him," Mullens said. Philadelphia got 16 points from Thaddeus Young and 15 from Henry Sims, but it wasnt enough for the leagues second-worst team. Still, it was a better showing than last week when the 76ers lost by 30 to the Bobcats on their home floor. At one point, the 76ers fell behind by 16, but closed to within four in the final minute — but were unable to take the lead. "It was entirely different," coach Brett Brown said. "When you look at the last time we played this team, it was as good an effort as anybody has played on our home court. They shot it and they guarded. Tonight we blinked a little in the third, but we found a way to get back in it in the fourth." NOTES: Philadelphias Jarvis Varnado was a late scratch with a right heel injury. ... The Bobcats have won 24 games at home, the second-most in franchise history. .. The Bobcats are 18-9 since the All-Star break, including 14-6 in their last 20 games. wholesale jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
