Is Andy about to flip?
Reporting from Indianapolis, Joel Sherman states in his latest column that the Yanks have made an offer to Andy Pettitte, which was rejected. He writes:
INDIANAPOLIS — The Yankees claimed Andy Pettitte was their No. 1 offseason priority. And they have put their money where that statement is at while continuing to monitor the Roy Halladay market.
Pettitte was the first and only player the Yankees have made an offer to since the World Series ended, The Post has learned. The proposal was for one year in what was believed to be the $10 million range or about what Pettitte made in 2009 between base salary and bonuses.
The initial offer was not accepted, but an NL official who had spoken to an involved party insisted the deal will get done, and privately the Yankees believe Pettitte wants to pitch in The Bronx in 2010.
While I’d agree with the assessment that a deal will get done, that’s a pretty fair offer by the Yanks. It’s basically guaranteeing what he made in base salary and incentives last year, which is where many of us thought these negotiations would end up. That’s the kind of offer that coincides with the Yanks reported intent of getting him signed as their #1 priority. It says to Andy ‘Let’s not fool around and wrap this up quickly’ but Andy doesn’t seem to be playing along.
We reported Andy being quoted late last season saying that he wasn’t happy with his last contract, and we all know what happened in 2004. When it comes to Andy, you never know if things will get personal (again) and he winds up taking a lesser offer in Texas or with the Dodgers. If that happens, I’d have to believe Roy Halladay will become a much bigger priority for Cashman.
(Photo courtesy of NY Magazine)
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
5 Responses to Sherman-Pettitte rejects Yanks offer
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
It would have been a surprise had Andy accepted the initial offer — players coming off good years and great post-seasons rarely do. So the Yankees have established a floor for the conversation going forward. I’ll hazard a guess and say he will eventually resign for $12 million with few or no incentives in the deal.
He won’t get more than 12 so I hope you are right, I don’t think I would be willing to go that high but what are you going to do? You have to have Andy back to ensure you have rotational depth past the 2nd spot in the lineup. A reliable 3rd starter is huge as Andy showed in the postseason by winning all 3 series clinching games.
He’ll accept in the end. I’ve always thought that Andy’s strange “I might retire” moods at the end of every season were just a play for more money. No one else is going to pay him nearly as much as the Yankees.
Really? I always looked at Andy as one of the Brett Favre’s in the world that isn’t exactly sure if what he wants now will be what he wants tomorrow.
This is not 2004. The Yankees have made Pettitte the priority all offseason. They’ll get something done.