NEW YORK — The good news for Yankees fans is that team officials are confident that CC Sabathia, with just one other serious suitor, will come to them sooner than later.

The bad news for Yankees fans it that Braves officials sound just as confident about A.J. Burnett.

As the Angels distanced themselves from Sabathia, leaving the Yankees poised to land their top target, the Braves moved closer toward signing Burnett, another item on the Yankees' radar.

Atlanta appeared poised to give Burnett the five-year deal he wanted, a sticking point with both the Yankees and Blue Jays (who were willing to give Burnett a vesting option for a fifth year). The Red Sox's interest in Burnett appears to have blown over, as Boston is targeting its former righthander Derek Lowe — who also greatly interests the Yankees and Mets. ("Mutual interest," Darek Braunecker, Burnett's agent, wrote in an e-mail on Wednesday night of Burnett's involvement with the Braves.)

The Braves, who are on the verge of acquiring former Yankee Javier Vazquez in a trade with the White Sox, have been determined to reload their starting rotation with power arms. They will have done just that if they can pull off the Burnett signing. Braves officials were telling industry friends on Wednesday that they thought they would get Burnett. Atlanta general manager Frank Wren told SI.com's Jon Heyman on Wednesday that he was focused on signing Burnett, rather than trading for San Diego's Jake Peavy.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins, meanwhile, told MLB.com late Tuesday that his top free-agent target remained Mark Teixeira, rather than Sabathia. Reagins said there was "nothing to" reports that the Angels, who clearly need offense more than they need pitching, were shifting their focus from Teixeira to Sabathia.

With none of the other West Coast teams expressing much interest, Sabathia is left with the Yankees' offer of six years and about $140 million and the Brewers' offer of five years and $100 million. As much as Sabathia prefers the NL, he probably doesn't prefer it enough to leave $40 million on the table.

If they can sign Sabathia, the Yankees will be all but out of the running for Teixeira, and probably Manny Ramirez, as well. They'll try to land Lowe while continuing their attempt to bring back Andy Pettitte at a pay cut.