Yikes! While we wait for the big Mark Teixeira press conference today, there is other news out of Yankeeland, and it's not good for Andy Pettitte fans. According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, Pettitte is saying no to the Yankees' $10 million, one-year offer.
Even though the Yankees went on a shopping spree for the ages this winter, they apparently are treating Andy Pettitte like something they found at the dollar store. Then again, Pettitte was all "I want to be a Yankee for life no matter what," so he shouldn't be surprised that they are trying to nickel and dime him.
Should Pettitte have to get a pay cut from his $16 million salary from last year? Absolutely, given his lousy second half - not to mention the Mitchell Report. But it makes no sense for the Yanks not to budge on the $10 million offer. While Brian Cashman did fly down to Houston to talk to Andy, one would hope he would dig through the Yankee couch cushions and dig up another million or two for Pettitte.
If the Yanks do offer Andy, say, $12 million, and he still turns it down, then shame on him. But given that they are paying A.J. Burnett $16.5 million a year, I don't think it's unreasonable for Pettitte to want the Yanks to upgrade their offer a little.
It's funny - Pettitte was front and center with all the Yankee Stadium closing ceremony stuff, with all the other "four rings" teammates. Yet the Yanks appear to be thisclose to cutting ties with him for the second time in five years. Unreal.
What do you think about Andy Pettitte? Leave us a comment.
4 comments:
Unreal for Petitte to not accept the offer. Burnett has an upside and is much younger.
I would give Oliver Perez a shot.
I will always look at Andy Pettitte as one of those special Yankees who were part of something very special in Yankee history. He's a true Yankee and a champion and I will always have a place in my heart for him.
But...I don't know if him pitching for us any further is such a good idea. Not just that he's older, but his skills have declined noticeably within the past few years, and last season his was literally average with a 14-14 record, the most losses coming in the 2nd half.
I'm an openly sentimental person, but I'm also a realist. I think Pettitte may actually hinder our rotation now, not improve it. Alvaro is right, Perez is much younger and may be worth a shot. I'm still not comfortable using Hughes as a permanent member of the rotation. After last season he needs to work his way back up with some positive consistency.
Sad about Pettitte, but how about Tex's press conference? Andy may be balking, but Mark looked ecstatic to be a Yankee. I'm starting to think he should bat 4th, not 3rd.
First time around Andy Pettitte was a solid Yankee. Last time around not so much. For an aging pitcher with diminished skills the $10 mill offer was more than generous. Putting sentiment aside, lets give the younger guys a shot, it sure worked for Tampa, give Hughes the 5th spot, less pressure and see what he does. In reality most of us will never make $10 mill in our lifetime and some people are crying for Andy to get more money!
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