Published Saturday, November 15, 2008 6:05 AM

Third & Short

Wire report

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

NEW YORK -- Free-agent season opened Friday with the New York Yankees giving CC Sabathia a record offer for a pitcher.

The Yankees formulated a proposal to the big lefty that would exceed Johan Santana's $137.5 million, six-year contract with the New York Mets both in total and average, Hank Steinbrenner said.

AUTO RACING

MIAMI -- A federal judge in Miami has rejected requests to delay the tax evasion trial of race car driver Helio Castroneves.

Lawyers for Castroneves and Penske Racing Inc. had sought a delay until November so he could drive in the 2009 IndyCar Series that runs April to October.

-- Wire reports

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