SI: Yankees close to signing Pettitte

[MusicMan]

 The Link

[schlumburger04]

im gonna go out on a limb and say this is bullshit. just a hunch i guess

[Craig]

This part of the article sounds like it was pulled directly out of someone's ass:

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Pettitte is intrigued about ending his career where it began and returning to a more intense environment than he found in Houston.

Pulled out of someone's New York ass, obviously. Nevermind the fact that a few paragraphs earlier, they say Pettitte is "still strongly considering retirement."

[DVauthrin]

Don't buy it.    Plus look at all the conjecture in the article.  

The free-agent left-hander,  who is strongly considering retirement, is said to be intrigued with the idea of returning to pinstripes and "could possibly have a deal by the end of the week" with New York, according to a baseball source familiar with the negotiations.  

 Pettitte is intrigued about ending his career where it began and returning to a more intense environment than he found in Houston. With 186 career wins, he also would have the chance of winning his 200th game.   As if he couldn't get 14 wins in houston, lmao.

[DVauthrin]

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This part of the article sounds like it was pulled directly out of someone's ass:

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Pettitte is intrigued about ending his career where it began and returning to a more intense environment than he found in Houston.

I'm curious but which team has advanced as far or further in the postseason two out of the last 3 years.   It has to be the yankees right?(sarcasm)

[Lefty]

Yall mean a NY/Bos report about AP/Roger returning to NY/Bos could possibly be false?  

I'm shocked, shocked I tells ya.

[hostros7]

If this story contains even the slightest grain of truth, I hope it is just posturing by his agents to squeeze a few extra bucks out of the Astros....and I'm ok with that.

[MusicMan]

I should have emphasized that this was a simple relay of the article - I think it's more likely a pile of crap, but Verducci does manage occasional (blind-squirrel-like) nuggets of info.

[DVauthrin]

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I should have emphasized that this was a simple relay of the article - I think it's more likely a pile of crap, but Verducci does manage occasional (blind-squirrel-like) nuggets of info.

It's not your fault Verducci took his idiot pills this morning.

This is the best part though:

 With 186 career wins, he also would have the chance of winning his 200th game.

Andy won 14 games with the offense everyone loves to pile on last year.   And they now have Lee adding more sock to the lineup.

[OldBlevins]

One thing I liked about the article was the headline, which said Pettitte "could be back in pinstripes."  Which would also be true if he signed with the Astros, of course.

[Gizzmonic]

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Pettitte is the club's No. 1 option because the former Yankee is New York-proven, is left-handed (possibly joining Johnson and Kei Igawa to give them three lefties in the rotation)

Would you really want three lefties in a rotation?  Wouldn't that expose them in a short series (or would they move one of them to the bullpen, going with a less proven righty in the playoffs?)

Hmm, that makes me wonder...have their been any recent teams with three lefties in the starting rotation?

[hostros7]

1996 Braves had Glavine, Avery, Neagle.  First group that came to mind. World Series appearance that year. Not too shabby.  Although the weaknesses of three lefties aren't as apparent when you also have Maddux and Smoltz.  Down year for Avery. I don't remember how he was used in the playoff rotation.

[MusicMan]

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I don't remember how he was used in the playoff rotation.

He wasn't.  2 scoreless IP in relief against the Cards, then took the loss in relief in the Game 4 extra-inning affair in the Series.

[JaneDoe]

Pettitte, who is considering retirement, but has offers from the Yankees (one year, $15 million) and Astros (unspecified), is expected to make a decision before Christmas, but multiple sources indicated Pettitte could decide soon, perhaps within a week.

Phil Garner spoke with Pettitte last week and the Houston manager said Tuesday that he sensed Pettitte was leaning toward returning to the mound next season rather than retirement.

"The first few times I talked to him, he wasn't sure he was going to play," Garner said. "He said he was going to make the decision later. The most recent conversation, he was more than leaning, he was really considering coming back and playing. I guess he hadn't made a definitive decision -- 'Yes, I'm definitely coming back to play' -- but it was more like, 'I'm getting very seriously interested in doing it.'"

Pettitte's return would obviously impact the winter strategy of either team should they sign him. Houston would likely cease the team's pursuit of free-agent right-hander Jason Schmidt and lessen chances of a trade for Colorado right-hander Jason Jennings. Were the Yankees to land Pettitte, it might take them out of the Barry Zito sweepstakes.

 link to entire story

[DVauthrin]

If Andy wants to play I think it will be in Houston.   If you are winding down in your career and have young children as he does, it doesn't make sense to uproot the family for a year or two until you officially walk away. Especially not when you have the connections to Houston he does, and your wife likes Houston.   Granted he could leave the wife/kids in Houston and go to NY for those years but that's not really an ideal situation for anyone.

[awrr]

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Hmm, that makes me wonder...have their been any recent teams with three lefties in the starting rotation?

I seem to remember the Royals having a lefty-packed rotation a year or two ago.  There may have been three or four southpaws in there at some point.

ETA: They had May, Anderson, and Gobble in there in 2004.  I know Affeldt got some starts too before he turned into their closer.

[jaklewein]

Uhhhh, maybe SI isn't full of shit...

 Agent Randy Hendricks confirmed that he's talking with the Yankees about a deal for Andy Pettitte.


"Andy hasn't decided for sure he wants to play next season, but we are negotiating with the Yankees," Hendricks said. "So obviously that is a possibility." Pettitte is due to make a decision on his future before Dec. 22 and could possibly make an announcement before the end of the week. MLB.com reported that the Yankees have offered Pettitte a one-year, $15 million contract. It's believed the Astros have already put in a counteroffer.

The Link

[JimR]

Will Carroll of BP was on The Zone in Austin tonight and said his Yankee sources said a deal is "close but not imminent."

Pettitte going back to NY will make me furious.

[Rebel Jew]

could all of this just be the hendricks' blowing smoke to try to get crazy money out of the astros?

[Alkie]

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Pettitte going back to NY will make me furious.

I can't believe I was right.

This is going to really suck.  I will join you in your fury.

[austro]

Then they can deal with his elbow when it explodes.  It sounds like I'm in the minority here, but I have little confidence that Pettitte will make it all the way through the season.

[CarolinaStro]

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Will Carroll of BP was on The Zone in Austin tonight and said his Yankee sources said a deal is "close but not imminent."

Pettitte going back to NY will make me furious.

I second that emotion.  The Stros have shown alot of respect to AP by waiting on his desire to play or not to work itself out ala Roger.  AP will command somewhere between 11 & 13 million/year.  Carpenter got 13/year from StL so it would seem that the Stros could be pursuing Schmidt more agressively for roughly the same $ as AP.  Loyalty is a two way street.  Retiring because of arm pain or to be a father is one thing, playing for the Yankees is whole other matter.

IMO, even though Schmidt will require a longer term contract than AP, he is worth the risk more so than AP on a shorter term contract.

[Alkie]

Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

[DVauthrin]

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Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

If pettitte resigns or doesn't resign Wandy will not be starting.  If he resigns you have the number 2 starter for 2007, if he doesn't they will go hard after Schmidt, and trade options like peavy/jennings/garcia.  And they will get a guy they feel comfortable with in that role by opening day.

[Alkie]

I'll believe any of those AFTER they happen.

As of right now, according to just about every press source, Wandy is in the Astros rotation as of this very second.

[No? in Austin]

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I'll believe any of those AFTER they happen.

As of right now, according to just about every press source, Wandy is in the Astros rotation as of this very second.

The Astros need a #2 starter.  After which, as long as Chris Sampson has a breath in his body, Wandy will not be the #5 starter.  Lefty in the pen with Miller?  Yes, quite possibly.  Starter (5) or long man?  Again, it's up to what they get in terms of a solid #2.

[CarolinaStro]

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I'll believe any of those AFTER they happen.

As of right now, according to just about every press source, Wandy is in the Astros rotation as of this very second.

Damn Alkie, you must be a glass is half empty kinda guy.  At worst we have Sampson or Albers over Senor Wandy.

[matadorph]

The story is bullshit.

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This much is certain: Pettitte is leaning toward playing again next season; the Astros are still awaiting an answer from Pettitte, whom they've given the parameters of a one-year deal. Moreover, Pettitte's agents denied the credibility of the si.com report linking Pettitte close to a deal with the Yankees.

"People are saying, 'I'm wondering if this (si.com report) is true,"' said Randy Hendricks, the Houston-based agent who represents Pettitte and Roger Clemens. "I'm saying, 'I'm wondering too.' But I don't think (si.com's writer) would just run with something off the top of his head. But as you know, a lot of times there are rumors that fuel stories that fuel more stories.

"So if the Astros have said they don't know anything about (the validity of the report), and I don't know anything about it and the Yankees don't know anything about it and the New York writers don't know anything about it and you don't know about it, so how about that? I don't, the Astros don't and the Yankees don't. All three. That would be a pretty good idea that if you act like this is going to happen and it's going to happen in a day or two it's not accurate."

The Link

[NeilT]

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Pettitte going back to NY will make me furious.

I can't believe I was right.

This is going to really suck.  I will join you in your fury.

I liked watching Pettite pitch more than any pitcher I've ever watched.  He spent what, 9 years? with the yankees?  Why would it piss you off that he went back?  why shouldn't he have some loyalty there?  He gave us three years.

I would root for the Yankees just to root for Pettite.

[NeilT]

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Pettitte going back to NY will make me furious.

I can't believe I was right.

This is going to really suck.  I will join you in your fury.

I liked watching Pettite pitch more than any pitcher I've ever watched.  He spent what, 9 years? with the yankees?  Why would it piss you off that he went back?  why shouldn't he have some loyalty there?  He gave us three years.

I would root for the Yankees just to root for Pettite.

'Course I'd rather he pitch for the Stros.

[Alkie]

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I would root for the Yankees just to root for Pettite.

I can't agree with any of this.

[Craig]

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I would root for the Yankees just to root for Pettite.

Man that's just crazy talk right there.

[cougar]

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I would root for the Yankees just to root for Pettite.

I can't agree with any of this.

Indeed.  I use the term "Evil Empire" when discussing the Yankmes without irony.  They're like the Cowboys or Notre Dame.  I am physically unable to root for them.

[JimR]

you are one crazy person. if he goes to NY, he's just one more ungrateful money-hungry ego.

i think he stays in Houston.

[DVauthrin]

Rooting for the Yankees is almost borderline satanic unless you were born in the New York area or reside there presently.    Otherwise I don't understand why people do it.

And I stand by earlier statements that if Pettitte is/was seriously considering retirement and he has young kids/relatives that make their home in Houston and will continue to do so after he retires that it seems unlikely he would bolt to a different city at this stage of his career.   Not saying he can't, but it would shock me.

[NeilT]

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Rooting for the Yankees is almost borderline satanic unless you were born in the New York area or reside there presently.    Otherwise I don't understand why people do it.

And I stand by earlier statements that if Pettitte is/was seriously considering retirement and he has young kids/relatives that make their home in Houston and will continue to do so after he retires that it seems unlikely he would bolt to a different city at this stage of his career.   Not saying he can't, but it would shock me.

Maybe all this is true, but I sure have liked watching Pettite.  Frankly, at this point, I'm largely indifferent to the Yankees.  It's not like Pettite would be going to, say, the Cardinals.  He'd be going back to the organization where he spent 9 years.  If Pettite was pitching against the Red Sox, and I knew it, and I had nothing else to do but watch that non-event in the American League, I'd be rooting for Pettite.

All that qualified, I'd rather he pitch here, and hope the rumors are that.

[MusicMan]

 This from a guy who tends to avoid the general diarrhea of the keyboard that inflicts so many writers:

 

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No matter what happens with Lilly, Pettitte remains the Yankees' first choice. And his agent, Randy Hendricks, said in an e-mail Tuesday night that Pettitte now plans to decide whether he'll play by Dec. 22. But one baseball official who spoke with the Yankees on Tuesday came away with the impression that the Yankees are skeptical of Pettitte's willingness to leave Houston.  

[hostros7]

Paraphrasing Pinwheel from the radio this morning:

"I THINK Pettite may miss the Yankees.  In Houston, you've got no media in your face, no egos, no prima donnas, just the baseball.  Every fourth day its just you and the baseball, and you just go out and pitch. Andy may be bored with that."  

Riiiightt ... that's incredibly insightful, Dick.

[Froback]

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Paraphrasing Pinwheel from the radio this morning:

"I THINK Pettite may miss the Yankees.  In Houston, you've got no media in your face, no egos, no prima donnas, just the baseball.  Every forth day its just you and the baseball and you just go out and pitch. Andy may be bored with that."  

Riiiightt ... that's incredibly insightful, Dick.

It's call "projection", I think.... Big Dick wants to write in NY so bad that he thinks everyone want to be in NY because it isn't (what was the word he used) boring.

[MusicMan]

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Paraphrasing Pinwheel from the radio this morning:

"I THINK Pettite may miss the Yankees.  In Houston, you've got no media in your face, no egos, no prima donnas, just the baseball.  Every fourth day its just you and the baseball, and you just go out and pitch. Andy may be bored with that."  

Riiiightt ... that's incredibly insightful, Dick.

I had to laugh when Pinwheel swore that Drayton has told Purp "we're done", and Granato immediately replied that his source said that they still expected a big deal this week - and then went on to point out that Dick's own Rag was indicating they're pursuing Freddy Garcia.

[Froback]

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Paraphrasing Pinwheel from the radio this morning:

"I THINK Pettite may miss the Yankees.  In Houston, you've got no media in your face, no egos, no prima donnas, just the baseball.  Every fourth day its just you and the baseball, and you just go out and pitch. Andy may be bored with that."  

Riiiightt ... that's incredibly insightful, Dick.

I had to laugh when Pinwheel swore that Drayton has told Purp "we're done", and Granato immediately replied that his source said that they still expected a big deal this week - and then went on to point out that Dick's own Rag was indicating they're pursuing Freddy Garcia.

That is pretty funny, how did Pinwheel back-peddle on that one, or did he just act like he was deaf for that min?

I would prefer Jennings to Garcia.  Maybe it is just sour grapes from fans in Chicago going form World Series Champ to 3rd in their own division, but the word I hear from Chicago is they don't trust him when he is out there, compared to the other Chicago starters.  To me that is not a very good endorsement.  But then I don't follow them much at all (even though my wife is a Sox fan, and yes it sucked watching with her during the Series)

[JimR]

why would you listen to what fans say about ANYTHING?

[Arky Vaughan]

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The word I hear from Chicago is they don't trust him when he is out there, compared to the other Chicago starters.

Who is they?

[JaneDoe]

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The word I hear from Chicago is they don't trust him when he is out there, compared to the other Chicago starters.

Who is they?

They are from somewhere.

[Bench]

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Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

If pettitte resigns or doesn't resign Wandy will not be starting.  If he resigns you have the number 2 starter for 2007, if he doesn't they will go hard after Schmidt, and trade options like peavy/jennings/garcia.  And they will get a guy they feel comfortable with in that role by opening day.

According to  Bob Nightengale's winter meeting grumblings the Cardinals have "emerged" as the front runners for Schmidt.

[Bench]

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Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

If pettitte resigns or doesn't resign Wandy will not be starting.  If he resigns you have the number 2 starter for 2007, if he doesn't they will go hard after Schmidt, and trade options like peavy/jennings/garcia.  And they will get a guy they feel comfortable with in that role by opening day.

According to  Bob Nightengale's winter meeting grumblings the Cardinals have "emerged" as the front runners for Schmidt.

And according to  Ken Rosenthal the Dodgers have signed Schmidt for 3 years, $47 million. Not bad.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

If pettitte resigns or doesn't resign Wandy will not be starting.  If he resigns you have the number 2 starter for 2007, if he doesn't they will go hard after Schmidt, and trade options like peavy/jennings/garcia.  And they will get a guy they feel comfortable with in that role by opening day.

According to  Bob Nightengale's winter meeting grumblings the Cardinals have "emerged" as the front runners for Schmidt.

And according to  Ken Rosenthal the Dodgers have signed Schmidt for 3 years, $47 million. Not bad.

Yes, and then he goes on a nice jaunt into pin-wheel-esque speculation:  

"The addition of Schmidt likely will increase the chances of the Dodgers trading right-hander Brad Penny for a hitter, even though the Dodgers lost free-agent right-hander Greg Maddux to the Padres on Tuesday."

I have to ask, when did this start?  Why would this idea even come up?  Are they that concerned about offense?

[JaneDoe]

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Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

If pettitte resigns or doesn't resign Wandy will not be starting.  If he resigns you have the number 2 starter for 2007, if he doesn't they will go hard after Schmidt, and trade options like peavy/jennings/garcia.  And they will get a guy they feel comfortable with in that role by opening day.

According to  Bob Nightengale's winter meeting grumblings the Cardinals have "emerged" as the front runners for Schmidt.

And according to  Ken Rosenthal the Dodgers have signed Schmidt for 3 years, $47 million. Not bad.

Another article  confirms?

[pravata]

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Any start that Pettitte makes for the Astros is a start not being made by Wandy Rodriguez.  

Remind me again how many games we fell short of the playoffs.

If pettitte resigns or doesn't resign Wandy will not be starting.  If he resigns you have the number 2 starter for 2007, if he doesn't they will go hard after Schmidt, and trade options like peavy/jennings/garcia.  And they will get a guy they feel comfortable with in that role by opening day.

According to  Bob Nightengale's winter meeting grumblings the Cardinals have "emerged" as the front runners for Schmidt.

And according to  Ken Rosenthal the Dodgers have signed Schmidt for 3 years, $47 million. Not bad.

Another article  confirms?

Fine as long as its not the Cardinals

[HurricaneDavid]

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Who is they?

Who dey?