http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3096412 ORLANDO, Fla. -- Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season. "I have spoken with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner said about the Yankees wanting to give Andy all the time he needs to decide about next season," Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Accordingly, we are declining to exercise the option for 2008 and Andy will declare free agency in order to free up a roster spot for the Yankees. "If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the Yankees within 24 hours. The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement. He appreciates the Yankees' willingness to give him the time he feels he needs. I do not expect him to make a decision for quite some time." The 35-year-old left-hander went 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA for the Yankees this year, including 11-3 after the All-Star break. He was their most effective starter in the postseason, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 2 of New York's first-round loss to Cleveland. Pettitte had until Wednesday to decide on his option, part of the contract he agreed to last December when he returned to the Yankees after three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. That deal paid him a $16 million salary this year. "Obviously, we want Andy to stay with the Yanks and pitch for us in '08. In fact, I'd say I need him to," said Cashman, the team's general manager. "He's an important piece for us. ... We're hopeful that at some point that the marriage of the Pettittes and the Yankees can continue." Last month, he said he wasn't sure whether he would play again, saying he had to relax and discuss the matter with his family. "I wouldn't have ever imagined my arm feeling as good as it has," he said. "I'm just very, very blessed, feel very blessed that my arm has held up and I felt strong all year. I haven't had any problems with my elbow this year." Last week, however, Pettitte was still weighing retirement or playing. "It probably wouldn't be real honorable for me not to do anything other than if I shut it down, shut it down or go back and play for the New York Yankees," he told KRIV television. New York is in a state of flux. Manager Joe Torre left after 12 seasons when the team offered him a paycut, and third baseman Alex Rodriguez chose to terminate his record $252 million, 10-year contract with three seasons remaining and become a free agent. The Yankees have said they won't negotiate with A-Rod now that he's opted out. New York is attempting to re-sign closer Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada, who both became free agents. Cashman said Pettitte called him and they spoke for 10-20 minutes. Pettitte has a standing offer of $16 million he can accept at any time. Cashman wouldn't discuss whether the team would entertain a new deal. "He told me specifically this is not about waiting to see what kind of club we have on the field and anything regarding the manager," Cashman said. "He's earned the right to take some more time, as far as we're concerned." Without Pettitte, new Yankees manager Joe Girardi would have a projected starting rotation that includes 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang, who lost twice to Cleveland in the playoffs; Mike Mussina, who will be 39 next month; and youngsters Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. On another front, Cashman said he will use this week's GM meetings to explore options for replacing Rodriguez at third base. "It's time to start scoping out all our needs," he said. "Third is one of them. That's not going to develop all that quickly." So much for an anchor on the Yankees pitching staff next season. Although he might come back.
Sounds like he just needs more time to decide. Hopefully he decided to come back. Pettitte, Wang, Chamerlain, Hughes and Kennedy will be a nice staff.
As a Met fan I hope he returns too, I like Pettitte. A real class act and he's one of the few Yanks I actually like. He should retire a Yankee.
Pettitte is one of my favorite Yankees of my lifetime. This sucks. What a mess this offseason is turning out to be.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF??? Et tu, Andy??? I hope the Tampa Mafia is pleased with themselves tonight. What a shithole they've put us into.
i love how some people see that he declined his option and automatically assume he's not returning next year. All he's doing is giving himself more time to decide and not screwing the yanks over. He has said that its either the yankees or retirement, and it will probably be the yankees
Yeah, it is but there is another way to look at it too. They have now carved 61 million off the payroll..more really. 27 for arod, 18 for Clemens and 16 for Pettitte. They are under the cap. Probably won't bring back Viz and will trade Damon which is another 16 million combined. That brings them down to the 125-130 range. Next year won't be great but they have a ton of money to spend where ever they want now. Next year they cut another 50 in Giambi, Pavano, Farnsworth and Mussina putting them in the 75-80 million dollar area. With at LEAST 125 million in their pockets they can buy any team they want next year, when some good FAs will appear, to open the new stadium with. Cashman will be like a kid in the candy store. There is more of an urgency to go after Santana now which can only be a good thing too.
"Cashman will be like a kid in the candy store" Doesn't seem like anyone wants to really be a Yankee anymore? Torre, AROD, Petitte, Posada, Rivera. Combination of the young Steinbrenners and drill instructor Girardi. What makes you think any FAs would want to play for the Yankees next year?
That's my real fear. There are too many guys jumping ship all at once. There has to be a reason for that.
Because we're in NY and we have the most money.... Look, I can accept not winning the WS next year if we continue to rebuild the pitching staff... what I don't want is to trade away Hughes or Kennedy or God forbid Joba for a guy we could get free and clear next season or to try to replace A Rod.... I think last season proved we still have a great farm system....I can deal with a young kid at 3rd and in spots on the pitching staff... as long as we don't trade away a bright future
You are dreaming again. The Yankees didn't want Torre. Arod is Arod, Rivera and Posada will probably resign this week. Pettitte will ONLY play for the Yankees if he plays again. You should stick with the Mets. Oh and why will FAs want to play? Money.
We might deal Hughes as part of a package for Santana. I could live with that if there is no other way. We need an ace to get back in it.
If we don't, somebody else will. A pitcher like Santana doesn't come around very often. If he went to the NL then fine. If somebody else in the AL were to get him then that would be trouble for years. Whoever gets him is going to have to pay him at least 25 million a year to do it. If Zito could get 20 million I can't imagine what Santana will get.
Someone could trade for him but I doubt he's going to sign an extension with that team without the Yankees being involved.... he wants to be a free agent next year....
He said he will only accept a trade (he has a no trade clause) with an extension. He has the same agent as Abreu which can only help the Yankees. I think this may be one of the reasons the Yankees try hard to get him now before he hits the open market. And this now brings us full circle with Arod. The only teams that can afford Santana are the same teams that can afford Arod. I don't think any of them but the Yankees can afford both. So, if you are one of those teams who do you go after? For example, if you are Boston, do you pay Arod 35 million a year or do you try to get Santana for 25 million? Same with the Angels. Do you dare wait to see if the Twins make him available? It will be an interesting winter. As we have all seen, a single position player will not win it all in the post season but a staff ace will.
Honestly, if the Mets and Sox are interested in both, and are willing to part with the talent for Santana, you can rest assured either would be happy to acquire both. The Yankees aren't the only team with money. They're just the only ones who have had the attitude that it doesn't matter how much they waste in pursuit of talent. Neither Boston, nor the Mets, would be sqaundering cash in bringing in both Alex and Johan. Actually, either would be sealing up their division for years to come by grabbing both.
Santana is great obviously, but I don't think the Sox NEED him. He'd be a luxury for them. They already have one of the top rotations in baseball. Arod alone would be fine by me.
