Pettitte Has Worn Out His Welcome
There was a time when I was Andy Pettitte's biggest fan, but unfortunately, that time has run out. Pettitte says he only wants to play for the Yankees, but he does not want a pay cut from the $16 million he made last year. This is despite having a terrible second half, amidst concerns that his elbow is not in good shape. The Yankees have apparently offered Pettitte $10 million, but that's not good enough for Andy.
Not only are there questions about how much he has left in the tank, and how healthy his elbow will be, but there also have to be concerns about just how much Pettitte really cares about being a Yankee. Does he really think he's worth $16 million? Does he actually think that any team, let alone the Yankees, will give him that kind of money? Pettitte's unlikely to get $10 million from any other team in this economy. And after the Yankees made every effort to stand by his side when his name came up in the Mitchell Report last winter, Pettitte owes it to the team.
So unless Andy changes his mind and accepts the original $10 million offer, the team should focus its efforts elsewhere. Where? How about Ben Sheets? There have been occasional rumblings that the team is indeed interested in the talented, but oft-injured right-hander. Sheets is extremely good when he's on the mound,
as evidenced by the fact that he was the starting pitcher for the National League in last year's All-Star Game. The problem has been that Sheets has not been on the mound often enough. Injuries have plagued his career, otherwise Sheets would be in almost as high demand as CC Sabathia.
But the real question is: is Sheets any more of a question mark at this point than Andy Pettitte? Sheets is 5 years younger than Pettitte, and is a much better pitcher than Pettitte. Pettitte's elbow is just as much a concern to me as any of Sheets' injuries. Would signing Sheets to a 2-year contract for $15 million a year, with an option for a 3rd year that kicks in if he pitches enough innings be much more of a risk than giving Pettitte the money he wants? The Yankees can get away with taking that kind of risk, particularly if they sign another pitcher or two. If they look at Sheets as a #3 or 4 starter, behind say, Sabathia and Derek Lowe, then they would have a potentially formidable rotation. Then if Sheets does get injured, they could plug Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy into that spot. It would not be a huge commitment in years, and for the Yankees, in money.
If Pettitte wants to forget everything the Yankees have done for him, and refuse to back down on his commands, then signing Ben Sheets would not be a bad contingency plan.
Not only are there questions about how much he has left in the tank, and how healthy his elbow will be, but there also have to be concerns about just how much Pettitte really cares about being a Yankee. Does he really think he's worth $16 million? Does he actually think that any team, let alone the Yankees, will give him that kind of money? Pettitte's unlikely to get $10 million from any other team in this economy. And after the Yankees made every effort to stand by his side when his name came up in the Mitchell Report last winter, Pettitte owes it to the team.
So unless Andy changes his mind and accepts the original $10 million offer, the team should focus its efforts elsewhere. Where? How about Ben Sheets? There have been occasional rumblings that the team is indeed interested in the talented, but oft-injured right-hander. Sheets is extremely good when he's on the mound,
as evidenced by the fact that he was the starting pitcher for the National League in last year's All-Star Game. The problem has been that Sheets has not been on the mound often enough. Injuries have plagued his career, otherwise Sheets would be in almost as high demand as CC Sabathia.But the real question is: is Sheets any more of a question mark at this point than Andy Pettitte? Sheets is 5 years younger than Pettitte, and is a much better pitcher than Pettitte. Pettitte's elbow is just as much a concern to me as any of Sheets' injuries. Would signing Sheets to a 2-year contract for $15 million a year, with an option for a 3rd year that kicks in if he pitches enough innings be much more of a risk than giving Pettitte the money he wants? The Yankees can get away with taking that kind of risk, particularly if they sign another pitcher or two. If they look at Sheets as a #3 or 4 starter, behind say, Sabathia and Derek Lowe, then they would have a potentially formidable rotation. Then if Sheets does get injured, they could plug Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy into that spot. It would not be a huge commitment in years, and for the Yankees, in money.
If Pettitte wants to forget everything the Yankees have done for him, and refuse to back down on his commands, then signing Ben Sheets would not be a bad contingency plan.
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