Ok, while I have been on a hiatus for a while, I am back. I can't say that unfortunately for many of the free agents out there having a hard time to find work - one in particular comes to mind; Andy Pettitte.
Look, Pettitte is either coming back to the New York Yankees or he is retiring. The Yanks offered Pettitte a one year $10 million offer. After mulling it over for weeks, Pettitte declined the offer.
Pettitte has to realize that he was offered a nice contract considering he is an aging veteran, who if he was not a fan favorite, may not have even been offered a contract after a horrific second half where he went 4-7 with a 5.35 ERA.
The Yanks would like to slate him in as their number four starter behind recently signed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and the returning Chien-Ming Wang. Derek Lowe would probably be a better option for the Yankees, Jon Garland would probably be a cheaper option for the Yanks, but Pettitte's reputation with the Yankees as a big game pitcher, fan favorite, and innings eater along with the fact that they would not have to deal with another long term contract as the team tries to get younger, and won't have to deal any more with agent Scott Boras all work in Pettitte's favor.
However, the Yankees want Pettitte to take a $6 million pay cut. Not to sound cliche, but that is not horrible considering what the market is bringing in for anyone not named Sabathia, Burnett, or Mark Teixeira.
In Pettitte's defense, he is a big face of the Yankee organization and had a ton of success with the Yankees throughout his career. Also, why must he take a pay cut when the Yankees spent ungodly amounts of money on three other players?
Pettitte came out and said he wanted to pitch for the Yanks - the Yanks said they wanted him back, so why this whole ordeal? Are the Yankees going to let a few million dollars at this point hinder them for next season by putting in Phil Hughes, or having a free for all next year for the number five slot in the rotation like they did last season?
The Yankees have to look at the facts. Pettitte will give you 200 innings, which is important with Burnett and Joba Chamberlain in the rotation, along with Wang, who no one knows exactly how long it will take for him to get back to his true form after his foot injury last season that cost him about half the year. Pettitte is a name and a face to open up the new stadium. Hughes could use another year in the minors and be brought up when Pettitte retires or if an injury occur. It is always good to have an extra ace in the whole. Look at what Boston is doing with adding John Smoltz and Brad Penny. It gives them room to work with, rest men, allow for injuries and not be over hurt by them, the list of positives goes on and on.
On the other hand, Pettitte has to realize that he is getting one of the highest offers on the market only behind some of the top ranked pitchers, two who have signed with the Yankees. With both their signings, Pettitte is needed much less. Also, as time goes on and on, prices for players are dropping to fractions of the contracts they thought they would sign entering into this off-season.
If he is looking for a Houston return, it has been reported several times that the team has no room on their payroll and are not interested in adding his services. That leaves the Yankees and the Dodgers who need another pitcher and would reunite Pettitte with manager Joe Torre. However, with the Dodgers likely to add Manny Ramirez, despite the circus of a story that has become, money is going to dry up fast there and he will be left to face a decision of returning to the Yanks or retiring.
Look, Pettitte could be a key factor to the Yanks getting back into the playoffs this season after missing out last season, as having he and Chamberlain, really show depth in their rotation ad that is what the rival Red Sox and Rays have; is depth throughout. He won't force the pen to be over worked like the rotation often did last season as the Yankees tried to catch lightening in a bottle over and over again with different pitchers. Besides, when playoff time comes Pettitte is the man you want on the mound.
The Yanks should say they will meet him in the middle. Pettitte wants to keep his $16 million - that isn't happening. The Yanks want him to take a $10 million contract - that apparently insults him with all he has done for the organization along with all the money they spend this off-season to ask him to take a pay cut. So, make it a $13 million offer, accept it, and let's move on. Why are we dragging this process out? Both the Yankees and Pettitte are trying many people's patience.
Look, Pettitte is either coming back to the New York Yankees or he is retiring. The Yanks offered Pettitte a one year $10 million offer. After mulling it over for weeks, Pettitte declined the offer.
Pettitte has to realize that he was offered a nice contract considering he is an aging veteran, who if he was not a fan favorite, may not have even been offered a contract after a horrific second half where he went 4-7 with a 5.35 ERA.
The Yanks would like to slate him in as their number four starter behind recently signed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and the returning Chien-Ming Wang. Derek Lowe would probably be a better option for the Yankees, Jon Garland would probably be a cheaper option for the Yanks, but Pettitte's reputation with the Yankees as a big game pitcher, fan favorite, and innings eater along with the fact that they would not have to deal with another long term contract as the team tries to get younger, and won't have to deal any more with agent Scott Boras all work in Pettitte's favor.
However, the Yankees want Pettitte to take a $6 million pay cut. Not to sound cliche, but that is not horrible considering what the market is bringing in for anyone not named Sabathia, Burnett, or Mark Teixeira.
In Pettitte's defense, he is a big face of the Yankee organization and had a ton of success with the Yankees throughout his career. Also, why must he take a pay cut when the Yankees spent ungodly amounts of money on three other players?
Pettitte came out and said he wanted to pitch for the Yanks - the Yanks said they wanted him back, so why this whole ordeal? Are the Yankees going to let a few million dollars at this point hinder them for next season by putting in Phil Hughes, or having a free for all next year for the number five slot in the rotation like they did last season?
The Yankees have to look at the facts. Pettitte will give you 200 innings, which is important with Burnett and Joba Chamberlain in the rotation, along with Wang, who no one knows exactly how long it will take for him to get back to his true form after his foot injury last season that cost him about half the year. Pettitte is a name and a face to open up the new stadium. Hughes could use another year in the minors and be brought up when Pettitte retires or if an injury occur. It is always good to have an extra ace in the whole. Look at what Boston is doing with adding John Smoltz and Brad Penny. It gives them room to work with, rest men, allow for injuries and not be over hurt by them, the list of positives goes on and on.
On the other hand, Pettitte has to realize that he is getting one of the highest offers on the market only behind some of the top ranked pitchers, two who have signed with the Yankees. With both their signings, Pettitte is needed much less. Also, as time goes on and on, prices for players are dropping to fractions of the contracts they thought they would sign entering into this off-season.
If he is looking for a Houston return, it has been reported several times that the team has no room on their payroll and are not interested in adding his services. That leaves the Yankees and the Dodgers who need another pitcher and would reunite Pettitte with manager Joe Torre. However, with the Dodgers likely to add Manny Ramirez, despite the circus of a story that has become, money is going to dry up fast there and he will be left to face a decision of returning to the Yanks or retiring.
Look, Pettitte could be a key factor to the Yanks getting back into the playoffs this season after missing out last season, as having he and Chamberlain, really show depth in their rotation ad that is what the rival Red Sox and Rays have; is depth throughout. He won't force the pen to be over worked like the rotation often did last season as the Yankees tried to catch lightening in a bottle over and over again with different pitchers. Besides, when playoff time comes Pettitte is the man you want on the mound.
The Yanks should say they will meet him in the middle. Pettitte wants to keep his $16 million - that isn't happening. The Yanks want him to take a $10 million contract - that apparently insults him with all he has done for the organization along with all the money they spend this off-season to ask him to take a pay cut. So, make it a $13 million offer, accept it, and let's move on. Why are we dragging this process out? Both the Yankees and Pettitte are trying many people's patience.
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