Could Yanks Make Same Mistake Again?
By Mike Silva ~ November 26th, 2008. Filed under: Mike Silva.
I remember in December of 2003, how many believed it would be “unfathomable” for Andy Pettitte to leave the Yankees for the Houston Astros. This was a time when the Yankees waved their “magic wallet” and players were theirs. We all remember the outcome of that situation. Since then, free agency has been a different ball game for the Yanks. Not only have they not closed the deal on free agents, many of their decisions have turned out wrong. Andy Pettitte signaled a turn in free agency for the Yankees in the winter of 2003, will he do the same this winter?
When hearing reports that Pettitte might want to pitch with Joe Torre out in LA it brought back those old memories. I thought it would either be Pettitte pitching for the Yankees, or retirement in 2009. A similar situation to what we saw last year when Pettitte made a decision in mid-December to return. Perhaps hearing about the courtship of other teams players (Lowe, Sabathia, Burnett), and the lure of the National League has changed Andy’s mind.
Letting Pettitte go would be a huge mistake. He is 36 years old, but has shown the ability to provide 200 plus innings. Regardless of how good the Yankees young pitchers are, they will not sniff the magic 200 number. Even in years, like 2008, when he is not pitching at a peak level, he always seems to find a way to perform in a big spot, against a quality team. Even if you believe that the second half Andy Pettitte (4-7, 5.35) is more what you will get, I think you can justify his veteran arm in the fifth spot in your rotation.
The big issue here is how the starting pitching market is developing. Sabathia is courting the west coast, Lowe wants $126 million dollars, and AJ Burnett’s price goes up, but his health question remains the same. Even if they sign two of the big three free agent starters, do you really believe your not going to need depth?
I am on record as saying my ideal rotation would be Sabathia, Wang, Joba, Pettitte, and Hughes/Aceves. I can live with them playing “fast and loose” at number five. If you lose out on Sabathia, and Pettitte in the process, then you could be looking at a rotation of:
Wang, Joba, Hughes, Aceves, and one of Burnett, Perez, Lowe.
Not a terrible rotation, but not exactly one that will consistently navigate tough AL lineups. More importantly, that rotation will put more strain on a good, yet young bullpen. Innings utilization are paramount to bullpen success. An overworked bullpen loses its efficiency regardless of how good the arms that it comprises.
I still find it hard to believe the Yanks will lose out on Sabathia. Signing the big guy will make everything fall into place. I also remember saying that Andy Pettitte would never leave the Yankees for Houston. You just never know what will happen in free agency. It should make for a fun, and interesting, hot stove month of December.
Extra Innings: Give credit to Joe DelGrippo, he mentioned the Dodgers and Andy Pettitte back in an early November column.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Paying Pettitte $16 million would be an even bigger mistake. There is no way the Dodgers would pay him that.
Just as in 2003, loyalty is a two way street.
Pettitte gave the Astros a discount at that time, even though the Yankees drafted him, developed him, and surrounded him with sufficient quality playes to win four rings.
A year ago, the Yankees stood by Pettitte when the revelations about his PED usage surfaced.
It’s time for Pettitte to accept a pay cut that is commensurate with his suboptimal 2008 performance, if he really cares about being a Yankee.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
An absolutely great point Rich.
But, the Dodgers need a veteran presence in their rotation MORE than the Yankees do. LA is losing Lowe, have a 20 year old Clayton Kershaw (with a likely innings limit BS in 2009), have Chad Billingsley with a broken leg that needed surgery and a 33 year old Hiroki Kuroda. Also, Jason Schmidt has a ripped apart shoulder and may never pitch again. They could use James McDonald in the rotation but they like him in the bullpen.
The Dodgers NEED Pettitte and his relationship with Torre will go a long way to Andy going out west, especially after the New York yanked his chain over the last month and a half.