CC in talks with Angels

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — While the Yankees and CC Sabathia continuing their relationship remains in play, the veteran lefty may have an option.

According to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, the Angels and Sabathia have discussed the 37-year-old joining Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim’s rotation next season.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman also has talked to Sabathia’s representatives.

Sabathia, whose family has strong ties to New Jersey’s Bergen County and often said throughout the season his first choice was to remain a Yankee, might be enticed to move 3,000 miles away.

The Angels attempted to sign Sabathia when he was a free agent following the 2008 season. He signed with the Yankees and helped them win the World Series in 2009.

“CC was unbelievable in the clubhouse. He is a true veteran presence that we need,” owner Hal Steinbrenner said of Sabathia at a Yankee Stadium press conference last week, when Aaron Boone was introduced as the new manager.

Josh Bard, a teammate of Boone’s with the Indians and former big league catcher, impressed during an interview last week and will be named Boone’s bench coach to replace Rob Thomson.

The only coach the Yankees have announced returning is pitching coach

Larry Rothschild. Bullpen coach Mike Harkey is expected to return, but there is an opening in the third-base coaching box because Joe Espada moved to Houston to be the bench coach.