What Will Keep Pettitte Away From NY?

(Zell's Pinstripe Blog)

    It looks like Andy wants to be a Yankee, but he just won’t take a cut in pay. How can a deal be reached? No idea, but it looks like if Andy doesn’t change his mind he will be leaving NY.

I have a feeling he might be more flexible than he sets out to be. I don’t think these statements are set in stone. Players change there minds all the time. If he wants to be a Yankee next year, then he will take a pay cut.

His family is part of NY now, Andy wants to play in the new stadium, the Yankees want him, Andy wants to be a Yankee, so why is it so hard to reach an agreement?

If Andy leaves the Yankees over a few dollars, then I will be disappointed. I don’t think other teams are willing to offer $16 million either. I mean, if some team is going to offer Andy double the salary, I really couldn’t blame him for taking the deal, but no other offers have been made. Andy has made his money. This $10 million is just more icing on the cake.

Andy was recently asked about accepting a pay cut to return, and he dodged the question.

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One major league executive, whose team is also pursuing starters, said he would be surprised if Pettitte received any offers close to $16 million a season.

“I mean, to tell you the truth, like I’ve told you all a hundred times, I’ve made it loud and clear where I’d like to play at,” Pettitte, 36, said in a telephone interview. “I’m just basically sitting here letting my agents do their job really.”

“We’d like to have him back,” General Manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday. “It’s come to the arena of trying to achieve common ground on money, which is easier said than done.”

“Again, for me to even talk about anything right now, it does no good,” Pettitte said. “I really don’t even want to talk about it or anything, as far as what that has to do with me and all that. I’m just letting Randy and Alan and the Yankees work things out. I’m basically just trying to enjoy my off-season with my family, and that’s it.”

“Anywhere I go, that’s all anybody wants to talk about,” Pettitte said.

As Pettitte’s agents negotiate with the Yankees, the Yankees realize he has repeatedly said they are his first choice. When Pettitte was presented with the possibility the Yankees could resign him during next week’s winter meetings, he said: “I hope so. That would be great.”

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