A nightmarish offseason continues for Yankees as Pettitte leans towards retirement
The New York Yankees have had a terrible offseason. They watched Carl Crawford sign with their arch-rival, another potential target, Jayson Werth, ink a ridiculously lucrative deal with the Washington Nationals. Then, to top it all off, their primary target, Cliff Lee, gave them the cold shoulder in signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, the much-ballyhooed mystery team he patiently waited to enter the bidding.
With Lee out of New York’s grasp, the consensus throughout the media was that they must not only turn their attention to Andy Pettitte but plead him to return. For the past few offseasons, the 38-year-old left-hander has decided to sign a one-year contract with the Yankees, forgoing retirement. But, now, one of their more dependable pitchers is leaning towards hanging up his spikes.
According to the NY Post’s George King III, the 15-year veteran hasn’t told General Manager Brian Cashman of his plans, but Cashman knows which way he’s leaning:
“There has been no official announcement that he has retired but I can tell you that he is not officially in play,’’ Cashman said. “We are focused on the players available in the free agent market and the trade market. Andy is currently not one of those guys.
“I have spoken to Andy, I know his position. There is really nothing more to talk about or write about. Right now Andy is leaning toward retirement. He hasn’t decided he wants to play next year. He wanted to make sure we were not being held up as we do our business. So, we are not. We are moving forward with what’s available. There is not much available but if there is something there that we like and we match up, we will strike.’’
New York’s rotation will be severely hurt if Pettitte does indeed retire. This past season he was his usual dependable self, going 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 21 starts. It was just the third time in his career he did not amass 31 starts. A tremendous regular-season pitcher, he managed to be far superior come postseason. He has 19 playoff wins, the most in baseball history, and also holds the inning and strikeout records.
Without him and his unparalleled experience, the Yankees will only have one dependable starter in their rotation, CC Sabathia. Flanking Sabathia is Phil Hughes, who won 18 games in 2010 but struggled to a 4.19 ERA after a hot start to the season. Behind him is A.J. Burnett, who was awful, losing 15 games and posting a 5.26 ERA. Petttitte being out of the fold, who fills out the rotation is unknown, though 23-year-old Ivan Nova, who has impressed in Winter ball is thought to be pitching for a spot.
At this stage of the offseason pickings are slim on the free-agent market. Cashman said he would look, but oft-injured Brandon Webb and unpredictable Carl Pavano seem to be the only options who are proven. Webb would be a smart gamble, but the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers are showing the strongest interest in the former Cy Young winner and it appears he will end up with one or the other. Then there is Pavano, but I would be shocked if New York goes down that road again.
They have yet to show interest in either, so unless they make an aggressive trade their rotation will be lacking. Zack Greinke is off the board, as he was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers, and there aren’t any consistent starters available to my knowledge. Pettitte’s reported intention to retire and the slim pickings on the free agent and trade market leave the Yankees in dire straights. They have the offense to compete, but pitching, which wins championships, as the San Francisco Giants recently showed? They have little, as their miserable offseason is about to get worse.
(Photo: Zimbio)
