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."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3096412

:lol

 

It begins.

I still think he'll be back.

a picture of class and one of the more likable Yankees.

What begins?

 

"The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement."

 

Explain.

What begins?

 

"The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement."

 

Explain.

If he retires it would be a definite hole, would it not?

Very smart not to push Andy on a decision, let him take as long as he wants, Extremely important that he comes back next year...

I see no reason for him to retire now. I'm glad the Yankees are honoring his decision to take time to think about it and I think when all is said and done, he'll be in pinstripes next year, which is the way it should be.

If Pettitte leaves the Yankees are in even more trouble as it is the Red Sox are better than the Yankees, if they lose Pettite the Blue Jays might finally be able to jump the Yanks

What begins?

 

"The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement."

 

Explain.

If he retires it would be a definite hole, would it not?

 

Of course.

 

That doesnt answer the question though.

 

What begins? Some kind of mass exodus as a result of Joe Torre leaving? Pettitte was going to sit on this decision either way. He even said who the manager was (as Torre was being fired) would have no effect on his decision making. What's beginning?

You'd have to ask Festa to clarify that.

 

I do think Mariano will go to the Dodgers though.

You'd have to ask Festa to clarify that.

 

I do think Mariano will go to the Dodgers though.

 

I won't say it's impossible. I think Rivera was truly pissed off at the start of the year when the Yankees refused to negotiate an extension with him.

 

Having said that, I believe anyone who signs Rivera for 4 years or Posada for 3 is making a huge mistake, including the Yankees. Sometimes it's best to cut ties too soon rather than too late.

I definitely agree with that.

 

I'm not sure if the Yankees are read to take the one step back to take two steps forward though, especially with Boston coming off the championship.

I definitely agree with that.

 

I'm not sure if the Yankees are read to take the one step back to take two steps forward though, especially with Boston coming off the championship.

 

Rivera needs to be resigned just to keep Joba Chamberlain out of the bullpen. You can't hold back a possible Ace, it's assanine. For that simple reason, I believe the few intelligent baseball men in the Yankees front office will push for Rivera hard.

 

Posada, despite a career year last year, is a .260 batting, 15 home run hitting catcher who is well beyond the age threshold at his position. I actually wouldn't mind seeing him go, and while it would certainly be a step back from him to Jose Molina. I honestly don't believe it's THAT much of a difference. Pitchers have consistently disliked Posada's game calling, his catching skills are quickly regressing (he's very bad now), and he strikes out a ton. Add in .260 and 15 homers, plus horrible recent playoff performance and he doesn't sound that great anymore.

 

Would it be a loss? Sure. But, I'd much rather put that money elsewhere in the 2008 FA market and the 2008 amateur draft (with the two bonus first round picks from Posada).

 

This won't happen, of course. Posada will be resigned at a huge price and the Yankees will have another DH next year.

Posada's already thrown his support behind Girardi. Then again, he hasn't re-signed yet.

 

There is the possibility that Pettitte might do the Yanks and follow Joe Torre. He did say once that he idolized Torre. But I don't think he'll do it.

What begins?

 

"The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement."

 

Explain.

If he retires it would be a definite hole, would it not?

 

Of course.

 

That doesnt answer the question though.

 

What begins? Some kind of mass exodus as a result of Joe Torre leaving? Pettitte was going to sit on this decision either way. He even said who the manager was (as Torre was being fired) would have no effect on his decision making. What's beginning?

 

The end of the Yankees is we know them. That's what begins.

 

You should reread this post so you can realize how paranoid it sounds. I LOL'd when I read it.

Posada's already thrown his support behind Girardi. Then again, he hasn't re-signed yet.

 

There is the possibility that Pettitte might do the Yanks and follow Joe Torre. He did say once that he idolized Torre. But I don't think he'll do it.

I think Pettitte is a pretty classy individual and he will stick by returning to New York or retiring.

What begins?

 

"The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement."

 

Explain.

If he retires it would be a definite hole, would it not?

 

Of course.

 

That doesnt answer the question though.

 

What begins? Some kind of mass exodus as a result of Joe Torre leaving? Pettitte was going to sit on this decision either way. He even said who the manager was (as Torre was being fired) would have no effect on his decision making. What's beginning?

 

The end of the Yankees is we know them. That's what begins.

 

You should reread this post so you can realize how paranoid it sounds. I LOL'd when I read it.

 

I hate to ruin all the fun, but I don't get paranoid over sports teams, especially ones with the highest payroll in the sport. There's too much other sh*t going on to be "paranoid" about the Yankees. I LOL'd reading your accusation.

 

The Yankees are who we thought they were.

Posada's already thrown his support behind Girardi. Then again, he hasn't re-signed yet.

 

There is the possibility that Pettitte might do the Yanks and follow Joe Torre. He did say once that he idolized Torre. But I don't think he'll do it.

First - I'm not surprised that Posada supports Girardi. Girardi did an excellent job of teach Posada how to catch at this level of baseball during his final years in NY. That is well documented.

 

Second - I think Pettitte is in the same camp as Posada. Of course they both loved Torre. That doesn't mean that either of them are about to disrespect a former colleague and mentor. Pettitte has a lot to think about and his decision will have nothing to do with what the skipper's last name is.