Pettitte a Yankee

[MusicMan]

1 yr/$16M, plus player option for 2008 for equal amount.

 Chron report

 

Quote:
?I had offered the Astros $14 million and an option,? Randy Hendricks said. ?But they wouldn?t take it. Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option. The Astros flat turned me down.?  

[The Third Man]

I don't think people will be getting out the pitchforks and torches for Drayton because he didn't push $14 million to Andy Pettitte. Tough to see him go, but it's probably for the best at that price.

[Cheo]

Mr. Pup better have a deal in place for Garland....or another #2.

[Taras Bulba]

Quote:
I don't think people will be getting out the pitchforks and torches for Drayton because he didn't push $14 million to Andy Pettitte. Tough to see him go, but it's probably for the best at that price.

You don't think so?  Sit back and watch the spectacle begin.

[Trey]

Fuck it, dude.  Let's go bowling.

[Tralfaz]

Will Roger follow?

[Jacksonian]

Quote:
1 yr/$16M, plus player option for 2008 for equal amount.

 Chron report

 

Quote:
?I had offered the Astros $14 million and an option,? Randy Hendricks said. ?But they wouldn?t take it. Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option. The Astros flat turned me down.?  

I don't blame the Astros at all.  The injury issue is too big to ignore.  The pressure's on Purp now to secure one more higher quality pitcher.

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
1 yr/$16M, plus player option for 2008 for equal amount.

 Chron report

 

Quote:
?I had offered the Astros $14 million and an option,? Randy Hendricks said. ?But they wouldn?t take it. Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option. The Astros flat turned me down.?  

I don't blame the Astros at all.  The injury issue is too big to ignore.  The pressure's on Purp now to secure one more higher quality pitcher.

Nice of Hendricks to mention it though.  Now, about the Clemens negotiations Randy....

[MusicMan]

Quote:
Nice of Hendricks to mention it though.  Now, about the Clemens negotiations Randy....

I'd refer to your own quote.

[The Third Man]

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Quote:
I don't think people will be getting out the pitchforks and torches for Drayton because he didn't push $14 million to Andy Pettitte. Tough to see him go, but it's probably for the best at that price.

You don't think so?  Sit back and watch the spectacle begin.

You're probably right. Drayton dropped another free agent in the well and the (Rice) villagers will be coming after him!

Good luck to Andy. No hard feelings. If you find some suckers willing to pay you that salary, God bless you. The Astros will be fine. I hope he takes Roger and all of that prima donna Hamlet shit with him.

[JimR]

i am speechless shocked.

fuck no hard feelings. just one more money-hungry ego.

[hostros7]

The problem w/ working a trade now is that the other side of the table could perceive the Astros to be in desperation mode.  

I want to go on the record as to say Pettitte is a Twatwaffle...but its mostly coming out of disappointment.

At the end of the day, athletes are (self-perceived or otherwise) businessmen.

[Golden Sombrero]

Thanks for the memories Andy.  You were the catalyst that turned us around.  Hit a sour note with your coda, though.

[jaklewein]

Quote:
i am speechless shocked.

Today is not a good day for the Astros.  Pup has a ton of work to do.  Today going forward, he starts earning his paycheck.  That's not to say he hasn't done his job up to this point, but let's be honest...the pressure is now squarly on his (and Drayton's) shoulders to produce a playoff caliber team, which it's not as it currently stands.

[Taras Bulba]

Quote:
The problem w/ working a trade now is that the other side of the table could perceive the Astros to be in desperation mode.  

I want to go on the record as to say Pettitte is a Twatwaffle...but its mostly coming out of disappointment.

At the end of the day, athletes are (self-perceived or otherwise) businessmen.

Yeah, but fuck him, anyway.

[Tralfaz]

Jon Lieber's name was thrown out as a possible Astros #2 by KC scout on am1300 when the Pettitte story broke.

[hostros7]

I agree.  Fuck 'em.  I have no kind words.

[cougar]

 

Quote:
?I had offered the Astros $14 million and an option,? Randy Hendricks said. ?But they wouldn?t take it. Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option. The Astros flat turned me down.?  

I love that quote.  "The Astros offered a 20% raise for a guy who had 1 good year and one OK year out of a 3 year contract, but for some reason they balked at a 40% raise!  How unreasonable of them!"

And we're supposed to take it as an article of FAITH that if AP gets hurt he wouldn't pick up the option?  But if he goes, say, 10-16 with a 4.50 ERA we should be fine if he decided to pick up an option worth God knows how much?  No thanks, too much financial insecurity.  Have fun in the Bronx, AP.

BTW, the first line in the ESPN article makes me want to puke.  "Many thought Andy Pettitte should have never left New York. It looks like that issue has been rectified."  What a load of horseshit.  Unless "many" refers only to the inhabitants of the Most Overrated City on Earth, because I didn't hear any howls of outrage from anywhere ELSE in the country after Andy went to the Astros.

Edit: yes I know Andy made more than $10 million last year, I'm just averaging out his contract.

[Twoniner]

'Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option"

  Well, how about we make it a fucking team option then. The most likely scenario is that Andy's elbow doesn't fall off completely, but continues to deteriorate... So just a little worse than last year would be like a 4.5 ERA and a 1.5 WHIP  this season.   Then for next season Andy's wife would sure as hell force him to take the 14 million dollar option if he didn't want it in the first place.   You got 14 million in quite possibly a below league average pitcher.  Screw that.  Astros aren't in a position to give 2 year 30 million dollar deals to players who were pondering their future 3 days ago.   Give Roger 22 million and let's see if he can pitch the whole season. I think we learned that making the playoffs should be the first priority.

[Taras Bulba]

Quote:
I agree.  Fuck 'em.  I have no kind words.

As a matter of fact, I would like to issue a pre-emptive "Fuck You" to Clemens when he signs with New York and wish that Houston cuts Koby on the spot when he does.  Let the selfish cocksuckers soak up all of the east coast limelight they can, and I hope they get flaming tendonitis, dysentery, and the pox in the process.

[Gulf Coast Playboy]

Quote:
"Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option"

  Well, how about we make it a fucking team option then.

Exactly.  It's beyond absurd to suggest that either team "knows" that AP would leave the second year money on the table, under any circumstance.

[Golden Sombrero]

Quote:
'Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option"

  Well, how about we make it a fucking team option then. The most likely scenario is that Andy's elbow doesn't fall off completely, but continues to deteriorate... So just a little worse than last year would be like a 4.5 ERA and a 1.5 WHIP  this season.   Then for next season Andy's wife would sure as hell force him to take the 14 million dollar option if he didn't want it in the first place.   You got 14 million in quite possibly a below league average pitcher.  Screw that.  Astros aren't in a position to give 2 year 30 million dollar deals to players who were pondering their future 3 days ago.   Give Roger 22 million and let's see if he can pitch the whole season. I think we learned that making the playoffs should be the first priority.

Yeah, have fun in the AL East with your bum elbow.  Enjoy your ERA approaching 6

[Curly]

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I agree.  Fuck 'em.  I have no kind words.

As a matter of fact, I would like to issue a pre-emptive "Fuck You" to Clemens when he signs with New York and wish that Houston cuts Koby on the spot when he does.  Let the selfish cocksuckers soak up all of the east coast limelight they can, and I hope they get flaming tendonitis, dysentery, and the pox in the process.

Ahmen brotha!  That about sums it up.

[hostros7]

I don't wish any ill will on the guy, but, let's be honest, it was fun having two hometown guys near the top of the rotation.  He fed us all the bullshit about family, home, etc.  Fuck that.  Andy - say it's nice that the team that paid you the most happened to be near where you grew up.  Now that isn't the case anymore, good luck in NYC.  I hope he misses Houston fans when they boo the hell out of him if he can't keep the opposing hitters scoring less than the 6 runs a game the Yankees will likely average next year.  Hell, maybe that's the only environment he thinks he can put up big W's numbers in anymore.

[No? in Austin]

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Quote:
"Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option"

  Well, how about we make it a fucking team option then.

Exactly.  It's beyond absurd to suggest that either team "knows" that AP would leave the second year money on the table, under any circumstance.

The MLBPA won't let him do that.  Who is the agent trying to kid?

[JimR]

Team Racket=Boras. the truth is not necessary.

[MusicMan]

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Quote:

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"Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option"

  Well, how about we make it a fucking team option then.

Exactly.  It's beyond absurd to suggest that either team "knows" that AP would leave the second year money on the table, under any circumstance.

The MLBPA won't let him do that.  Who is the agent trying to kid?

How about people gullible enough to believe what they read in the Houston Chronicle?

[Jacksonian]

Quote:
1 yr/$16M, plus player option for 2008 for equal amount.

 Chron report

 

Quote:
?I had offered the Astros $14 million and an option,? Randy Hendricks said. ?But they wouldn?t take it. Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option. The Astros flat turned me down.?  

Well then I guess there's only one thing left to do.

[Alkie]

So, I don't get it.  Why would Andy tell me he was going back to NY after bullshitting everyone about retiring, but make up a story about UT losing to Auburn???

I'm sorry, I don't mean to keep pimping my own posts just for the fuck of it, but I wrote this October 20th, before there was ANY indication he'd go to NY.  It wasn't like it was an idea the time; it was clear he was either an Astro or retired.  I wonder how the man in my brain knew.

2) And don't tell ANYONE this...but he and his agent had already decided a month ago to take the Yankees offer for next season. No press was being disseminated on this so that when they announced it after he half-retired, the New York fans would go that much crazier and it would mean more in endorsement deals for him in NYC. He said he loved playing in Houston, but acknowledged that Houston hadn't been his real home since HS and that he always considered NY to be his adult home. He was very much looking forward to getting back to "winning rings."

[Limey]

Quote:
Fuck it, dude.  Let's go bowling.

Tomorrow is shabbas.  Means I don't work, I don't drive a car, I don't fucking ride in a car, I don't handle money, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as shit don't fucking roll!

[pravata]

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none--
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.

[Alkie]

Look, if you're suggesting we start calling Andy "Alice" and the Yankees "Wonderland" I second the motion.

[David in Jackson]

Quote:
Look, if you're suggesting we start calling Andy "Alice" and the Yankees "Wonderland" I second the motion.

Time to update the glossary

[pravata]

Quote:
Look, if you're suggesting we start calling Andy "Alice" and the Yankees "Wonderland" I second the motion.

At present, Pettitte is in the role of the Walrus, the Carpenter is being auditioned.

[Alkie]

I'm pretty sure WE are the Carpenter.  

Or the oysters.  

Is HD Mother Oyster?

[pravata]

Quote:
I'm pretty sure WE are the Carpenter.  

Or the oysters.  

Is HD Mother Oyster?

We are the oysters.

[Froback]

Well I know some people around here are tight-assed enough to turn coal into Diamonds... but pearls too?  Man, the multi-talents of people here are amazing.

[Alkie]

Ok, but I still get to call Andy Pettitte Alice right?

[pravata]

Quote:
Ok, but I still get to call Andy Pettitte Alice right?

You can call him Alice, just don't call him late for dinner.

[Holly]

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Look, if you're suggesting we start calling Andy "Alice" and the Yankees "Wonderland" I second the motion.

At present, Pettitte is in the role of the Walrus, the Carpenter is being auditioned.

"I am the walrus."
"Shut the fuck up Donny. V.I. Lenin. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov!"

[matadorph]

Quote:
i am speechless shocked.

fuck no hard feelings. just one more money-hungry ego.

My sentiments exactly. I honestly didn't believe the rumors for a second because, well, I naively took AP at his word. It's all about family!

Fuck you Andy. I hope you get kidney stones.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

What I find amazing is that while the contract is for 16mil, the Yankees are actually going to pay 22.4 mil with the luxury tax.  At that price, they can have him.

[Phil_in_CS]

Quote:
What I find amazing is that while the contract is for 16mil, the Yankees are actually going to pay 22.4 mil with the luxury tax.  At that price, they can have him.

With his elbow problems, that's going to be like a mil per start. At best. Wow....

[Fredia]

there needs to be a all money ho former astro teamm including but not limited to
beltran..outfield
kent second base
petitte.. pitcher.. i am sure there are others .. what happened to loyalty and didnt he leave the yankees cuz he had his feeling hurt

[JB77]

Quote:
What I find amazing is that while the contract is for 16mil, the Yankees are actually going to pay 22.4 mil with the luxury tax.  At that price, they can have him.

Pettitte's got a player option for 16 million for '08. So he's getting 32 million over two years guaranteed and the Yankees will be paying about 45 million for two years, regardless of how his elbow holds up.

[CJM]

Quote:
there needs to be a all money ho former astro teamm including but not limited to
beltran..outfield
kent second base
petitte.. pitcher.. i am sure there are others .. what happened to loyalty and didnt he leave the yankees cuz he had his feeling hurt

I don't know that Kent really belongs on that list.  Wasn't he asked to take a pay cut after his option wasn't picked up?  I think the way Kent left was rather professional.  He didn't drag things out, and he ended up getting a very nice contract from the Trolley Dodgers.

[matadorph]

Quote:
I agree.  Fuck 'em.  I have no kind words.

I could probably muster some kind words today if it weren't for Team Pettitte insulting our intelligence with that ridonkulous claim that Andy has no intention of exercising that option if he gets hurt next year. Yeah riiiiiight.

[JimR]

bullfuckingshit. Kent went back on his word.

[Trey]

What is  this?

 

Quote:
Before Pettitte accepted the Yankees' offer, sources familiar with the negotiations told me he gave the Astros a chance to keep him for $2 million a year less than the Yankees will pay him. But Houston wouldn't increase its offer of $12 million a year.

Why? Good question. The buzz around baseball is that MLB officials -- particularly commissioner Bud Selig -- weren't happy with the Astros for giving $100 million over six years to free agent Carlos Lee. So owner Drayton McLane might be trying to placate MLB's hard-liners by attempting to hold down the rest of his payroll.

 

[MusicMan]

Same article - where is the logic in this?

 

Quote:
Last summer, Clemens got down to either the Astros or Red Sox. But if the Red Sox sign Daisuke Matsuzaka, there would be no obvious rotation vacancy for Clemens. So the Astros might need to do some significant damage control if they want to avoid losing Clemens, too.  

[HudsonHawk]

Quote:
What is  this?

 

Quote:
Before Pettitte accepted the Yankees' offer, sources familiar with the negotiations told me he gave the Astros a chance to keep him for $2 million a year less than the Yankees will pay him. But Houston wouldn't increase its offer of $12 million a year.

Why? Good question. The buzz around baseball is that MLB officials -- particularly commissioner Bud Selig -- weren't happy with the Astros for giving $100 million over six years to free agent Carlos Lee. So owner Drayton McLane might be trying to placate MLB's hard-liners by attempting to hold down the rest of his payroll.

 

So let me get this straight....MLB wants the Astros to "hold down the payroll" by refusing to offer Pettitte $14 million so that the Yankees can offer him $16 million?  Brilliant logic.

[MusicMan]

Besides, Carlos Lee isn't even in the top 5 of stupid-as-all-getout contracts this winter.

[DVauthrin]

Quote:

Quote:
What is  this?

 

Quote:
Before Pettitte accepted the Yankees' offer, sources familiar with the negotiations told me he gave the Astros a chance to keep him for $2 million a year less than the Yankees will pay him. But Houston wouldn't increase its offer of $12 million a year.

Why? Good question. The buzz around baseball is that MLB officials -- particularly commissioner Bud Selig -- weren't happy with the Astros for giving $100 million over six years to free agent Carlos Lee. So owner Drayton McLane might be trying to placate MLB's hard-liners by attempting to hold down the rest of his payroll.

 

So let me get this straight....MLB wants the Astros to "hold down the payroll" by refusing to offer Pettitte $14 million so that the Yankees can offer him $16 million?  Brilliant logic.

Stark usually is a good writer but he's way off on that.   I think we should start a poll on how many days until the astros acquire a number 2 SP.  I think it happens within the next seven days myself.

[JB77]

Quote:
'Both teams know that if Andy gets hurt, he won?t take the option"

  Well, how about we make it a fucking team option then. The most likely scenario is that Andy's elbow doesn't fall off completely, but continues to deteriorate... So just a little worse than last year would be like a 4.5 ERA and a 1.5 WHIP  this season.   Then for next season Andy's wife would sure as hell force him to take the 14 million dollar option if he didn't want it in the first place.   You got 14 million in quite possibly a below league average pitcher.  Screw that.  Astros aren't in a position to give 2 year 30 million dollar deals to players who were pondering their future 3 days ago.   Give Roger 22 million and let's see if he can pitch the whole season. I think we learned that making the playoffs should be the first priority.

If there's a silver lining to this for the Astros, it's Pettitte's elbow and declining performance. He was one game over being a .500 pitcher with an era at 4.20 and a whip at 1.44. Those are #3-type numbers. He pitched great down the stretch, but if his elbow continues to be a problem, there's little chance than his performance would improve, and a good chance it would decline and that he'd be DL'ed often, or shutdown completely.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
Stark usually is a good writer but he's way off on that.   I think we should start a poll on how many days until the astros acquire a number 2 SP.  I think it happens within the next seven days myself.

Damage control by the Hendricks Brothers (*is what I'm told*) feeding the media.  Only an agent can come up with crap about the Commish and salary caps and all.  Deflect from the player at all cost.  Read this from Randy Hendricks:

"The aborted Garland trade proves they had no intention of increasing their offer, so there was nothing more to wait for except a decision by Andy, which he made this afternoon," Hendricks said.

Well, two days before the Garland trade was even on the radar screen, Lance Berkman was on the radio in Houston telling all the listening audience that while he was good friends with Andy Pettitte, it was his opinion that Andy was going *back* to New York.  Okay, so now Hendricks is trying to make his client look like a distraught pitcher unappreciated by the Astros because of some aborted trade?  While a teammate of Andy and a proported "good friend" is saying Andy is definitely leaving (along with Roger)?  And said friend also says that the Astros needed to spend the Carlos Lee money on a "pitcher instead"?  Lance was already hinting that money and a bruised ego was at work here and Andy was bolting.

Looks to me like because the huge ego was bruised, they were going to squeeze and make the Astros pay or else... literally.  Someone in New York wrote that they wanted to "shame" McLane into paying big money.  Damn!  That is very whack behavior if you ask me.

More like petulent little children if you ask me.  Take your ball and go home Andy and take Racket with you.

And those darn Hendrick brothers too while you're at it.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:

Quote:
What is  this?

 

Quote:
Before Pettitte accepted the Yankees' offer, sources familiar with the negotiations told me he gave the Astros a chance to keep him for $2 million a year less than the Yankees will pay him. But Houston wouldn't increase its offer of $12 million a year.

Why? Good question. The buzz around baseball is that MLB officials -- particularly commissioner Bud Selig -- weren't happy with the Astros for giving $100 million over six years to free agent Carlos Lee. So owner Drayton McLane might be trying to placate MLB's hard-liners by attempting to hold down the rest of his payroll.

 

So let me get this straight....MLB wants the Astros to "hold down the payroll" by refusing to offer Pettitte $14 million so that the Yankees can offer him $16 million?  Brilliant logic.

And the money puts the Yankees in deficit when it comes to payroll tax, so they're going to spend 22 million for the privilege of spending the 16 million on a player.

Yeah, that is *really* logical fiscal responsibility by the Commissioner, eh?

[ValpoCory]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
What is  this?

 

Quote:
Before Pettitte accepted the Yankees' offer, sources familiar with the negotiations told me he gave the Astros a chance to keep him for $2 million a year less than the Yankees will pay him. But Houston wouldn't increase its offer of $12 million a year.

Why? Good question. The buzz around baseball is that MLB officials -- particularly commissioner Bud Selig -- weren't happy with the Astros for giving $100 million over six years to free agent Carlos Lee. So owner Drayton McLane might be trying to placate MLB's hard-liners by attempting to hold down the rest of his payroll.

 

So let me get this straight....MLB wants the Astros to "hold down the payroll" by refusing to offer Pettitte $14 million so that the Yankees can offer him $16 million?  Brilliant logic.

Stark usually is a good writer but he's way off on that.   I think we should start a poll on how many days until the astros acquire a number 2 SP.  I think it happens within the next seven days myself.

And he had a message board poster-like spelling of Jason Hirsh's last name, when he typed "Jason Hirsch".  It's not hard to get these minor details correct.  And he can't even get those right ....

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I just got online for the first time since about 2pm yesterday. Last night I drove back from Ft. Worth and listened to CDs in my car. So when I woke up this morning and read the news my first reaction was the NY AL team paid too much. My second reaction was Andy is a hypocrite and a fraud. I wish him well and at the same time I hope he loses every game. I haven't read any other's comments here, I'll likely post more after doing so. Family and home my ass.

[JimR]

exactly my sentiments. stupid me, i thought he was different. i thought he meant the home, hometown, family, dad and all the other sentimental stuff that Roger uses to hype himself. but no--it was money and ego for Andy. the 11th hour addition of a player option year looks like a ploy to make Houston the bad guy for refusing to be pressured into a stupid deal.shame on you, Andy. screw you, Team Racket--you are just a junior version of Boras. good for you, DM/TP. i'm glad you're Astros.

i will never root for an injury, but i hope the AL knocks AP around in every start.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Quote:

Stark usually is a good writer but he's way off on that.

No he isn't, give me a break, he just types shit. If he were a good writer he wouldn't be working for ESPN. He is a guy who likes sports so he got a job typing about sports. That's okay but it doesn't make him a good writer. Not even close.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Quote:
exactly my sentiments. stupid me, i thought he was different. i thought he meant the home, hometown, family, dad and all the other sentimental stuff that Roger uses to hype himself. but no--it was money and ego for Andy. the 11th hour addition of a player option year looks like a ploy to make Houston the bad guy for refusing to be pressured into a stupid deal.shame on you, Andy. screw you, Team Racket--you are just a junior version of Boras. good for you, DM/TP. i'm glad you're Astros.

i will never root for an injury, but i hope the AL knocks AP around in every start.

That sums it up for most of us, I think.  There are going to be the clueless fans who blame Purpura and McLane for not forking over 28mil over 2 yrs to a guy who's performance has been declining for years.  His STATS don't show that except when you do a AL to NL comparison.  By no means do I think the AL is superior, as a whole, but for a pitcher it's more challenging because there is no pitcher.  The weaker teams may be no different than NL teams.  But then you face teams like the Tigers, White Sox, Boston, and others that have professional hitters at every spot in the lineup 1-9.  And that alone tells me that your hope is more of an inevitability, he's going to get hit hard.  I hope he enjoys having Jeter at SS instead of Everett.  That should be an eye opener for a ground ball pitcher like AP.  

And for the Yankees, well, I can't say I blame them for wanting AP on their roster. I wanted AP on the Houston roster.  But after the season, before the off-season madness, I thought Andy was in line for a pay-cut, or at most remain at the same salary.  Nothing has occurred that makes me think that opinion was or is wrong, regardless of the FA market.  He's no better than those guys, at this stage, signing for 10-12mil, and that's what Purpura offered.  My compliments to Purpura for not letting someone else spend his budget.  Don't forget, even if Pettitte pitches 200+ innings, including the tax for exceding the salary threshhold yet again, the Yankees will be paying over 100k per inning.  I think Rocket is worth that, Pettitte is not even close.  

To reflect back on some of the quotes over the past week, I think there's been some gamesmanship and negotiations in the press, from Garner's comments about no other pitcher besides Clemens meriting the freedoms of his contract.  To the Pettitte's hamlet impression of will he or won't he play.  I think it's a shame the national media aren't focusing on how a 5-6 inning pitcher just landed the landmark deal of the off-season, at 16mil/yr for 2 yrs, not 1.  I wonder what Boras is asking for Zito now?  

As for the Astros plans, I see no need to splurge or lose top quality young pitchers for a guy like Jennings or Garland.  I think the rotation is weak, but the bullpen incredibly strong.  I think they should use the money to bring back Huff, trade Ensberg for whatever they can to strengthent he pitching, be relief or starting.  Next year's pitching FA class will be superior, and they'll have that much time to see what Buchholtz, Hirsh, and Nieve can do.  And we just might see Patton after all.

[Golden Sombrero]

Quote:
exactly my sentiments. stupid me, i thought he was different. i thought he meant the home, hometown, family, dad and all the other sentimental stuff that Roger uses to hype himself. but no--it was money and ego for Andy. the 11th hour addition of a player option year looks like a ploy to make Houston the bad guy for refusing to be pressured into a stupid deal.shame on you, Andy. screw you, Team Racket--you are just a junior version of Boras. good for you, DM/TP. i'm glad you're Astros.

i will never root for an injury, but i hope the AL knocks AP around in every start.

Bronson Arroyo is an example of a guy who signed with a team because he wanted to be in that particular city.  He lowballed his salary just because Boston was the place for him.  Well, look how that worked out for him.  I guess there's no room for sentiment in this business.

[jaklewein]

Quote:

Quote:
exactly my sentiments. stupid me, i thought he was different. i thought he meant the home, hometown, family, dad and all the other sentimental stuff that Roger uses to hype himself. but no--it was money and ego for Andy. the 11th hour addition of a player option year looks like a ploy to make Houston the bad guy for refusing to be pressured into a stupid deal.shame on you, Andy. screw you, Team Racket--you are just a junior version of Boras. good for you, DM/TP. i'm glad you're Astros.


That's his fault...he should've requested a no trade clause in his contract.  When a player signs for an obvious discount, you usually see that as part of the deal.
i will never root for an injury, but i hope the AL knocks AP around in every start.

Bronson Arroyo is an example of a guy who signed with a team because he wanted to be in that particular city.  He lowballed his salary just because Boston was the place for him.  Well, look how that worked out for him.  I guess there's no room for sentiment in this business.

[cougar]

I love that now Pettitte is saying that the Astros wouldn't "push" for him:

"It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."

So, basically, he wanted a Yankmes-Astros bidding war.  Then, when he didn't get it, he claims the Astros sisn't want him and were ready to move on without him (the Garland deal that wasn't) and goes off to the Yanks in a huff.  Sounds a lot like why he left the Yankers in the first place.  I guess that's his go-to line.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
I love that now Pettitte is saying that the Astros wouldn't "push" for him:

"It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."

So, basically, he wanted a Yankmes-Astros bidding war.  Then, when he didn't get it, he claims the Astros sisn't want him and were ready to move on without him (the Garland deal that wasn't) and goes off to the Yanks in a huff.  Sounds a lot like why he left the Yankers in the first place.  I guess that's his go-to line.

His ego was bruised way before the Garland deal.  It was right after the Astros signed Lee to 16 million per year.

What a petulent little child.

[headhunter]

I find it hard to hate Andy--I loved it when he left the evil empire and came home. And starin' Andy certainly did his part to help the team-when he wasn't hurt. Yet I can't say that I wish him well--he's a fucking yankee again--by  choice and of his own free will. If his arm withers and his elbow explodes as he feels the love of Houston and Jesus Christ abandon him, I can only feel so sorry.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Quote:
I love that now Pettitte is saying that the Astros wouldn't "push" for him:

"It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."

So, basically, he wanted a Yankmes-Astros bidding war.  Then, when he didn't get it, he claims the Astros sisn't want him and were ready to move on without him (the Garland deal that wasn't) and goes off to the Yanks in a huff.  Sounds a lot like why he left the Yankers in the first place.  I guess that's his go-to line.

Pettitte seems perversely insecure with his feckless and fretfull comments regarding the Astros lack of interest in getting into a stupid, wreckless, and irresponsible bidding war. I didn't ever think he was a smart guy but now he seems pretty much like a borderline imbecile, when you compound that with an absence of integrity and a full helping of selfishness, you get a person who is incapable of overriding the judgement of his handlers. His wife must need a break from that kind of behavior and probably offered no discouragement to him for moving on. Who would blame her if she said, "yeah, Andy, why don't you finish your career in NYC."

[catAstrofy]

I've always thought Andy looked like a shaven Osama Bin Laden.

I hope the DQ circus goes away quickly.

Fuck NY.

[Danimal]

Quote:
His wife must need a break from that kind of behavior and probably offered no discouragement to him for moving on. Who would blame her if she said, "yeah, Andy, why don't you finish your career in NYC."

damn, don't need to bring a guy's family into it... Although I did read that his kids cried when he told them he was a Yankee again.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Quote:

Quote:
His wife must need a break from that kind of behavior and probably offered no discouragement to him for moving on. Who would blame her if she said, "yeah, Andy, why don't you finish your career in NYC."

damn, don't need to bring a guy's family into it... Although I did read that his kids cried when he told them he was a Yankee again.

Damn, I didn't. He did. Andy always made a point to talk about being near his family. Which leaves it open to speculation why he'd choose to play elsewhere.

[Alkie]

Well, technically, he's not related to his mistress in NY.

[pravata]

Quote:
I love that now Pettitte is saying that the Astros wouldn't "push" for him:

"It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."

So, basically, he wanted a Yankmes-Astros bidding war.  Then, when he didn't get it, he claims the Astros sisn't want him and were ready to move on without him (the Garland deal that wasn't) and goes off to the Yanks in a huff.  Sounds a lot like why he left the Yankers in the first place.  I guess that's his go-to line.

Yankees were at 15, Astros 12.  Hendricks says do I hear 14? Astros say no still 12.  Yankees yell 16!  Yeah they're clever.

[MRaup]

Quote:

Quote:
I love that now Pettitte is saying that the Astros wouldn't "push" for him:

"It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."

So, basically, he wanted a Yankmes-Astros bidding war.  Then, when he didn't get it, he claims the Astros sisn't want him and were ready to move on without him (the Garland deal that wasn't) and goes off to the Yanks in a huff.  Sounds a lot like why he left the Yankers in the first place.  I guess that's his go-to line.

Yankees were at 15, Astros 12.  Hendricks says do I hear 14? Astros say no still 12.  Yankees yell 16!  Aaaaaaand an option for next year!  Yeah they're clever.

There, I fixed it for you.

[Browneye]

Quote:

Quote:
I love that now Pettitte is saying that the Astros wouldn't "push" for him:

"It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."

So, basically, he wanted a Yankmes-Astros bidding war.  Then, when he didn't get it, he claims the Astros sisn't want him and were ready to move on without him (the Garland deal that wasn't) and goes off to the Yanks in a huff.  Sounds a lot like why he left the Yankers in the first place.  I guess that's his go-to line.

Pettitte seems perversely insecure with his feckless and fretfull comments regarding the Astros lack of interest in getting into a stupid, wreckless, and irresponsible bidding war. I didn't ever think he was a smart guy but now he seems pretty much like a borderline imbecile, when you compound that with an absence of integrity and a full helping of selfishness, you get a person who is incapable of overriding the judgement of his handlers. His wife must need a break from that kind of behavior and probably offered no discouragement to him for moving on. Who would blame her if she said, "yeah, Andy, why don't you finish your career in NYC."

He left the Yankees feeling somewhat slighted because their offer three years ago was on par with Houston's, a team in a small market with lower taxes. CNNSI

Pettitte said Saturday he was surprised the Astros wouldn't bridge the gap between the two proposals.
"It shocked me that (the Astros)  would not continue to go up , when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they (the Astros) really didn't do much," he said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there."
CNNSI

Derek Jeter and other former teammates called to implore Pettitte to return. CNNSI

Two weeks ago it was "continue as if I am not coming back". From the Roger Clemens soundtrack.

Then Verducci announces the Yanks are close to a deal with Pettitte and will know by Friday. Before his I am not going to retire announcement. Of course, Hendrick boys say this is not true.

Then Pettitte announces he is going to play one more year.

Then the denials from the Hendricks and the Yanks about a deal.

The Astros must have seen the BS and starting looking for a trade. After all, wasn?t it the Astros who waited 2 months for him to decide if he was going to retire?  How about when Pettitte decided he did not want an extension earlier this year.  Now it?s the Astros fault for not stroking his ego with a ?full court press?? How much begging does it take to get a 34 year old man to come back to a city that loved him, play a child?s game near his family and get another 12 mil for it. No, this dude wanted to go back to the Yankees. I say see ya.

By the way, the deal was announced on Friday just like Verducci said. The Hendricks and Yanks say they decided to make the announcement now because they knew the secret would not last 10 days. Kind of like the one Verducci released?.Coincidence?  

Pettitte was not planning on staying or he would have signed during the season, or over the last 2 months. Nope he chose to play with the Yanks no matter what. He is a sensitive little boy who needs to constantly be told how good he is.

I have no problem with Andy going back to the Yanks if thats what he wants to do, but be a man about it. Dont come out and blame the Astros so you don't feel bad for going to where you wanted to go in the first place. Dont say you werent stroked enough when this team put pitching on hold for you and tried to get you to do an extension, then feel slighted when the look for pitching help. That would be like me putting in my 2 week notice and then getting mad when the company starts looking for a replacement instead of stroking my ego and giving me a raise.