Yanks Say "No" to Pettitte

Recently, the New Yankees declined arbitration on Andy Pettitte, a decision I believe will come back to haunt them.

The Yankees front office has made a point of telling the media, their fans, and all of baseball that their main objective this off season is to add pitching depth, especially in the rotation. This is no secret, and I don't believe that there is a fan out there who would disagree that it is necessary for the Yanks to do this if they are to be successful next season.

Yet, they declined to bring back a pitcher who was their second most consistent starter last season (behind Mike Mussina, who won't be returning). It's true that declining arbitration doesn't mean they won't still attempt to sign him, but everything being reported seems to point towards a lack of interest from New York in Pettitte. He said in an interview at the end of the season that he wants to pitch, and would like to end his career in New York. Well sorry Andy, but you may not get that opportunity.

There have also been recent reports of conversations that the Dodgers are showing in interest in Pettitte, as his old manager Joe Torre appears to like the idea of bringing the lefty veteran into his rotation. This should be a red flag to the Yanks that if they want Andy back, they need to make their move before it's too late. They blew a chance by declining his arbitration.

Last season, despite having an ERA of 4.54, Pettitte still won 14 games for the Bronx Bombers. He threw over 200 innings, and with the offense that the Yanks have, there is no reason to believe that Pettitte wouldn't win at least another 14 games, a great number from someone who would only need to be a back-end of the rotation guy for New York. If the run support is there, Pettitte will always win games. He's never been an ace, and his ERA has consistently hovered around the 4.00 mark. In fact, in 2000 he went 19-9 with an ERA of 4.35 (very close to his 4.54 ERA of last season).

The fact is, the Yankees have said they are targeting starting pitching. Yet, their number one target, CC Sabathia, is mulling offers from multiple teams, and could very easily end up somewhere other than New York. They have not even placed offers for A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe, although rumors say the Yanks have interest in both. Looking at the current Yanks rotation, especially with Mike Mussina's recent retirement, there is no depth to speak of. For the time being, they have declined to bring back a pitcher whom wants to play for them and who would add a consistent arm to their rotation. Instead, they appear to still be banking on adding free agents and other pitchers through trade, leaving huge question marks in their chances of putting forth a playoff-type rotation next season. They declined the option to guarantee themselves a reliable starter in Andy Pettitte.