"I like it there," Sabathia told The Post's Brian Costello in October, speaking of New York, "but we'll have to see what direction the teams are going and would my family be uncomfortable being on a whole other coast? We'll have to see."

We can act with silly sanctimony at Sabathia grabbing the easy tourist view of New York, especially because it's probable the Sabathia family will find life in Greenwich, Saddle River, Manhasset or Chappaqua just as agreeable as Santa Monica or Sausalito. But what's the point of that? He is a great pitcher who immediately brings the Yankees a lot closer to the Red Sox and Rays than they were yesterday. His happiness, and his family's comfort, is really beside the point.

He is here now. He is in New York. If it is fair to wonder about how someone can expect to succeed in New York when he puts in an opt-out because of his own clear reservations about playing in New York . . . well, that's beside the point, too. If he is a bust after three years, he is protected. If he is a star, then there's one team certain to throw a heavy set of golden handcuffs on him.

He is here. The reasons don't matter. The reservations don't matter. Were the Yankees desperate? Did they grovel? Doesn't matter. They are in this together, starting now, where just one thing matters. Check back in October to see just how much.

Cleveland Indians News News » Good move? We'll CC in October
Good move? We'll CC in October
Look, we've all been around the block a time or three, all of us, so let's not pretend to be offended by the hand wringing CC Sabathia put everyone through the past few weeks. This isn't the first time an A-List pitcher took issue with our fair burgh, after all -- see also Maddux, Greg -- and it isn't the first time one of those A-List pitchers pointed to family concerns when factoring in New York's livability quotient -- see also Hampton, Mike -- and it isn't the first time a staggering pile of dough turned someone's mind -- see also Rod, A-. MLB Winter Meetings Vaccaro: CC a good move? A-Rod gushes over new ace Greenberg: Favre's troubles More from The New York Post