[ESPN Buster Olney] Pettitte will return to the Yankees

Where did he claim he was offended?

Or is New York talk radio now a credible source?

 

I'm having a hard time understanding how you go from, "Hey...I'm not sure I ever wanna play again at all. I'll let you know around Christmas."

TO

"Hey, I really want an option for a 2nd year. That's a sticking point."

These guys have played the hometown hero card so much its just worn out. All of a sudden everything changed when news about the Garland trade broke. Then Andy signs a contract with the Yanks within about 48 hours of that story breaking.

 

I still don't know that it was a sticking point. It was what the Yankees offered him, so he did it. Once he decided he wanted to play, maybe he didn't want to go through this whole process again next offseason. Especially if he's going to move to NY again, why do that for just one year and then have to leave again if he wants to still play and the Yankees low-ball him next offseason?

Then again, there was also talk that the Astros leaked the story to force Andy to make a decision. In that scenario, it worked. Maybe the Astros thought he wasn't serious about NY and thought it would make him go ahead and commit, and that backfired.

There's too much we don't know about the situation, and people are just jumping to whatever conclusions they want to believe. It's the same thing that happened in the Beltran situation. People want to believe the best about the Astros and the worst about whatever free agent that turned them down, but it's not actually based on anything.

 

Beltran still sucks as a human.

 

I agree that we can't jump to too many conclusions in this situation.... but please don't compare this to Beltran (who seems to be your "boy").

Beltran's guys had a purpose from day one... to get him in as big a market as possible, for as much $$$ as possible. The Astros made the mistake of believing that they were in the hunt (which was being assured by Boras), where-in-fact they never really had a chance. Boras going on his hands and knees to the Yankees at the last second (which was well documented) simply highlights their true intentions.

If Pettite had left the Astros to go to the Cardinals or Padres, I'd believe worse about him... but I really can't fault him for not being able to turn down the Yankees (for more money, in fact).

 

1010 WINS isn't Talk radio. It's just a news station. They were just reporting a report from Andy Pettite's people.

 

and beltran never signed here saying he wanted to be close to his family for the rest of his career. beltran was a traded here and had his first shot at free agency when his time here was up. if anything, he owed nothing to the astros and the fact that some fans still hate him for going after the most money is ridiculous.

 

I don't hate them for going after the money... I just wish they would have been more up front with the Astros, telling them their true intentions and negotiating in good faith (letting Minaya come to Puerto Rico instead of the Astros contingent was a low blow... should have sent the Astros running, but Boras reeled them back in).

In many ways, the bad experience the Astros had with Beltran will shape how they do negotiations for years to come.

Also, Pettite didn't owe the Astros anything. The fact that his family was here allowed the Astros to "feel" like they were owed a hometown discount, when that wasn't ever the case.

Also, had Pettite never said he intended on retiring, there's a pretty good chance he would have been offered a multi-year deal from the get-go... not really relevant, but just an interesting fact since it was the option year that killed any deal.

 

I'm not saying pettite owed the astros anything, I'm just saying beltran owed them less. the astros were played in the beltran negotiation, but that's their fault. they should have backed out of those negotiations lot earlier imo. after a few weeks I felt it was pretty obvious he wasn't resigning here.

 

This is my point exactly - this is a huge assumption that's been made here. We heard a lot from insiders connected to his family who swore that he wanted to play for the Astros. There is a lot that we don't know what happened there.

 

What did Pettitte owe to the Astros? He wanted to play in front of his family - 3 years ago! Things change. Maybe he realized it wasn't what it was all cracked up to be. Or that he didn't love the environment as much as he hoped. Or whatever else.

 

The funny thing is Pettitte did the exact opposite of what we complained about with Beltran and Clemens. We were really annoyed that they took forever making a decision. With Beltran, people said they wouldn't be mad if he didn't drag out the process. Pettitte did exactly that - he made the decision quickly and was done with it. Yet, people are still mad at him.

 

We do know they let Minaya visit, and didn't let the Astros visit. We do know that Boras called the Yankees at the 11th hour trying to give them a discounted deal.

I can easily draw two conclusions right there... without making any assumptions.

Carlos' situation was much more harmful/detrimental than Pettite's... in fact, I'm greatful that he didn't wait till December 22nd.

 

when did I say he owed anything to the astros? my point was he never said he wanted to play here, was traded here, and had his first shot at free agency.

 

Two things, maybe in hindsight, where I guess the Astros missed the boat. I can't really blame them, though.

1. We got Pettitte three years ago because he felt slighted by the Yankees. Perhaps he needs/craves that attention.

2. Maybe he saw how we shut down our offseason last year and were willing to wait forever on Clemens and assumed we'd do something similar for him.

It sucks, but I can't blame him for leaving for that much financial difference. It hurts the Astros though - he's not going to be easy to replace.

 

I think Pettite actually WANTING to go back to the Yankees is not being played up enough.

Once again... this isn't like he signed with the Cardinals or the Padres because he felt slighted by Houston... he signed with his favorite freaking team.

 

I wouldn't really have a problem with that at all. If he wanted to finish his career in pinstripes fine. But why doesn't he come out and say that. Instead he acts like the Astros slighted him w/ the Garland deal and not upping their offer. If he would have come back to the team if we offered 14 w/ a player option, then it was never about wanting to go back to the Yankees either.

 

**** THE ASTROS!

GO ANDY PETTETTIETTE!

REpresent the STRIPES DOWG. Deeeer PARK! GO BX! GO BX! GO BX BOMBAS!

YOu the Number 1



Andy Pettitte is Number 1 FER REEL dog.


The Houston Assholes didnt want you. You show what's the deal for passing you up.
WORD up G shockas.

 

if you don't want people to talk about vince, maybe you should avoid bringing the topic up in threads that have absolutely nothing to do with it. secondly, andy didn't choose the astros, so the analogy is weak anyway.