Andy Pettitte: Will The New York Yankees' Veteran Pitcher Hang Up The Cleats?

With the Yankees having missed out on ace pitchers Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke, they are now faced with more bad news.

Veteran lefty Andy Pettitte is leaning towards retirement, which will make the Yankee rotation thinner than it already is.

There are not many options left in free agency, so the Yankees might be forced to make the 38-year old Pettitte a big one-year contract.

Losing Pettitte would be devastating for the Yankees, who currently have Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre at the back of the rotation.

Pettitte's veteran leadership and postseason success would be missed greatly in New York, so the Yankees should do whatever they can do bring him back for one more season.

Pettitte went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 21 starts last season and won his 19th career playoff game against the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS.

Pettitte's 19 playoff wins are the most in MLB history.

The Yankees would love for No. 46 to come back and make another run at the World Series.

I'm sure Pettitte would love to give it another shot after a disappointing loss to the Texas Rangers in last season's ALCS.

There are some decisions to make for the Yankees, who have not been very active in free agency this off season, so re-signing Pettitte will be important heading into the 2011 season.

Source: YES Network's Jack Curry on Twitter