Steve, I like that situation you just described for Pettitte, that’s a fair deal for both parties. The Yankees are nickeling and diming Pettitte and willing to give up the ship for Burnett and CC ? The inmates are really running the asylum……..

Agreed. Why are the Yankees so hesitant to do something like this though? Seems they won’t budge from the $10-12 million range.

I don’t see him going anywhere else, including back to Houston. I think Andy really wants to pitch in the new stadium, and have another shot at winning.

Personally, I think if you offered Pettitte a contract for $14 million for 2009, with a player option for 2010 at $16 million that only vests if he pitches 200 IP in 2009…he’d probably take it.

Give Pettitte what he wants, for the exact reasons stated in the post…”He can handle New York. He’s good for 200 IP and around 15 wins. He’s left-handed.”

I just don’t think he should be relied on as a #2 or #3 starter like he was last year.

Now the question to ask is, Is a #4 or #5 starter worth $16mil?

So my question is, should the Yankees insist on a pay cut?
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Given the market, probably not.

There have been multiple reports that the Yanks want Pettitte to take a cut from his 16 million dollar salary. Certainly the Yanks are in no rush to come to an agreement like they were last year, when Andy announced he wanted to return and the next thing you knew a deal was done.

Its also been noted that Ryan Dempster will make a pretty big salary next year, and would Andy agree to be paid less?

So my question is, should the Yankees insist on a pay cut? And does making Andy wait while they see what’s out there on the Free Agent Shelf risk alienating him, possibly allowing Houston another crack at him?