Last week Yankee honcho Hal Steinbrenner, the quieter, less-limelight-needy brother of the Idiot Son of George Steinbrenner (Hank), was quoted by various sports media sources indicating that CC Sabathia would have a deadline to accept the team’s $140 million contract offer.

“We’ve made him an offer. It’s not going to be there forever,” said Hal, after he was voted the team’s new controlling owner on Thursday, Nov. 20.

This statement, given last year’s lines re-drawn in the sand over the A-Rod negotiations, were the typical laughable bravado to come from the Bronx. Now, however, as if that wasn’t enough, it has come out that the Yankees might increase their already obnoxiously high offer to $150 million – but only if other teams expected to get in on the process make offers to Sabathia.

NBCSports.com, publishing a Sporting News column citing a New York Newsday report that sourced the information to a “person familiar with the situation” said if the Los Angeles Angels get in on the bidding they’ll make the increase in their offer.

That’s good solid negotiating – let the increase get public BEFORE ANY WEST COAST COMPETITORS EVEN ACTUALLY OFFICIALLY MAKE AN OFFER!!!!!

The rumor mill says that Sabathia would prefer to pitch closer to home on the West coast and in the National League so he can hit. He reportedly is waiting on the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers have made a shockingly large offer in an attempt to keep the guy who nearly single-handedly carried them to the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

So maybe the Yankees will have some competition for Sabathia’s services. But guess what. It’s not likely any of those offers are going to match the $140 million the Bronx Bombers already have on the table. If CC doesn’t sign in NY it’s likely got more to do with him finding the situation less than desirable, not the lack of another $10 million or so.

So, there’s always the possibility that the Major League Baseball Players Association steps in and tries to force Sabathia to sign the precedent-setting contract. I personally hope he thumbs his nose at those folks. I live in the Midwest but prefer the East coast to the West coast – but if Sabathia wants to go closer to home and is willing to take less money to do so more power to him.

But in the end, if I’m the Angels, at this point I’d get in the race just to make the Yankees pony up as much money as humanly possible. Someone on the Yankees staff blinked. This latest report makes it clear both that Hal’s deadline was a joke and that they’re willing to dig even deeper to acquire his services.

And how great is it that no matter how many bidders get in on the process the Yankees biggest competition for the largest salary package comes from themselves.

Nice job, sons of Steinbrenner. How does the old saying go? Hal, Hank – you’re no George Steinbrenner.