MLB - Sports Rumors

Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:21 am EST

Yanks want Pettitte back and to take pay cut

By Joe Zedalis

Andy Pettitte

Getty Images

The pitching-needy New York Yankees want to re-sign Andy Pettitte, and Pettitte reiterated Wednesday that he wanted to return, but the two sides are at a stalemate over his salary, according to a report in the New York Times.

"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."

What Randy and Alan Hendricks, Pettitte's agents, are trying to do is to make sure their client avoids a pay cut. Pettitte made $16 million last season, one of the highest salaries in the major leagues for a pitcher, and his agents have stressed that he wants the same salary. The Yankees have offered Pettitte $10 million, and they seemingly have no immediate plans to improve their offer.

"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."

Pettitte battled shoulder problems last season and ended up 14-14 with a 4.54 earned run average, including a 2-7 mark to finish the year. The Yankees believe Pettitte, who pitched a team-high 204 innings, can still be an effective starter, but they consider a $16 million investment in him to be too expensive.

Source: New York TimesNew Window

digg delicious
more

138 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Evil Empire
    1. Posted by Evil Empire Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    1st. He should take a pay cut if he wish to stay with the Yankees.
  2. davfied
    2. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Look, Andy wants to play for the Yankees in the new stadium. He is trying to be loyal to the team which is rare these days. He wants the same $16M he got the previous 2 years. Too much. The team offered $10M which is a slap in the face. Both team & player need to be fair and split the difference at $13M. Sign him. It will go a long way with the fans.
  3. Evil Empire
    3. Posted by Evil Empire Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree! 13 millions is fair and square. 16 mils is too much.
  4. mark A
    4. Posted by mark A Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Isn't this the same guy that left New York in his prime and went to pitch in Houston? He is past his prime and 10 million is still to much. Money will be better spent elsewhere.
  5. kyuubireaper122
    5. Posted by kyuubireaper122 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Why would New York go after him...Yank's use your farm system get your prospects back up, look in Boston at their farm system, it produced an MVP, Rookie of the year, and 50+ stolen Bases...Yankees always spend and spend...and money isn't getting you guys anywhere...C.C 140 million $$$ still deciding where to go...Use your minors to help the big club use logistics and have a bit of faith...
  6. tegdub5
    6. Posted by tegdub5 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Give him the money...he's worth it!!!
    BIG PAPI
  7. Joba
    7. Posted by Joba Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I don't see how $10M is a slap in the face for a .500 pitcher. Oh, that's right, the Spanks gave Clemens $24M and he was below .500. Money well spent!
  8. Patricia G
    8. Posted by Patricia G Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:11 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I LOVE Andy, but with the way our economy is, why should him or any other player make millions, when people are losing their jobs. Yankees have a new stadium next year, they need to fill the seats and when people can't afford it, how can these players expect to be paid what they want.
  9. chris k
    9. Posted by chris k Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How much more money does he need? Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind seeing him back but for 16 million? Give me a break. Tell me he's been winning 20 games or 16+ and not going 14-14. Till then take the paycut, you aren't going to get a better offer.
  10. Wilfork wont spoon
    10. Posted by Wilfork wont spoon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Nothing is too expensive for the Yankees. They need to meet somewhere in the middle or let him see what he could get elsewhere.
  11. the head of ted williams
    11. Posted by the head of ted williams Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    With a new stadium and the chances they will sell out all their home games, it sounds reasonable to sign him. Pettitte has been a mainstay for the Yankees and belongs there. It would be hard to replace this lefthander through free agency, the draft, or long term minor league system.
  12. Cosmo
    12. Posted by Cosmo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    $16 million is too much. He should be willing to discount his offer after the Yankees backed him in the face of the steroids scandal. He will break down over the course of the season. I now respect Mike Mussina even more. Win 20 and go out on your own terms.
  13. Leifericson
    13. Posted by Leifericson Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Red Sox should offer him 1 year for 17 million.
    Want to bet the Yankees would match it?
    Why are they playing games with one of their top 3 starters?
  14. Leifericson
    14. Posted by Leifericson Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    He's the only guy they've got that threw over 162 innings last year.
    So I guess that's the guy who they should alienate!
    What has happened to the Yankees?
  15. JHAWK
    15. Posted by JHAWK Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    L dellutri... Check the games he pitched last year and the offensive stats for the Yanks in those games... Most of the games he lost were cuz he didn't have offensive support... Still, I think he should take 10 or 11 and be happy
  16. Tony
    16. Posted by Tony Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    As I fan I could care less what it costs to sign him. Just get it done. I for one wish that Professional sports would keep salaries confidential. I'm a fan of baseball and I really don't need to know what every player makes. You put the team on the field that you can afford and let me root for them. I really am tired of hearing about money. Money has nothing to do with anything when the player crosses the chalk and steps into the batter's box.
  17. Leifericson
    17. Posted by Leifericson Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Guys who throw 200+ innings aren't easy to get?
    If they lose his innings, how on earth could they replace them?
    It would cause a pitching staff meltdown, because they are already losing Mussina.
    If Yankee fans think that Hughes and Kennedy are going to throw 200 innings each, they are in some serious denial.
  18. BronxBomber
    18. Posted by BronxBomber Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    hmmmm loyal to his team ? i remember in 2004 he left the yankees for what he thought were greener pastures in houston needless to say he got injured not by pitching but batting . now he screams i want back in the fold i wanna play for the yanks , well they gave him a shot and he didnt do as well , andy if you wanna play for the yanks take a paycut thats loyalty
  19. stewie
    19. Posted by stewie Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    If I were making the decision ,I would offer him 10 mil. take it or leave it. possibly some incentives.. But it is time to stop paying players for their past and pay them to what they can do now. A player, especially a pitcher that is on the decline ,should have his salary in decline also. If the team really wants him throw in a heavey incentive clause
  20. John M
    20. Posted by John M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    10 million is more than fair...his performance last season should dictate his 2009 salary, not what he did 5 years ago...cashman needs to get his head out his butt and give drop dead dates to cc and aj and get the ball rolling...once the yankees drop out of the bidding for these guys, their price goes down in a hurry...go yankees! they need to get younger and more athletic...
  21. joarby2
    21. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Give him 10Mil for the second half of season ONLY IF they can sign Tex, Manny and AJ or (Peavy or CC). Andy will be the #1 starter in the rotation going into the post season...that is a guarantee!
  22. Wilfork wont spoon
    22. Posted by Wilfork wont spoon Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    joarby, are you leaving any stars out of that deal??
  23. Leifericson
    23. Posted by Leifericson Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    You guys are looking at what he's worth to MLB, not at what he's worth to the Yankees.
    Do you think they can lose Mussina and Pettite, and not finish in last place?
  24. joarby2
    24. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hi Stewie, Andy is not yet in decline! I watched him pitched very closely all season! He just wasn't motivated b/c of the crummy inconsistent offense they had last season! He didn't hurt himself as bad as Hughes and Kennedy b/c he is a veteran pitcher that knows when to go all out and when to just go through the motion. Believe me he was just going through the motion! Of course some nagging injuries took over towards the end as he finds himself not able to get out of the non pressing mood. He will be the Andy that we know in past years if they sign some big bats particularly Manny, Tex and a top pitcher in the FA.
  25. joarby2
    25. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Christine...I did say AJ OR Peavy OR CC

Sports Rumors

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

More Rumors

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]