And what I'm trying to say is that Pettitte's rep as a big game pitcher is a myth. His playoff numbers are good, but not any better than his regular season numbers. Why? Because he's a good pitcher all the time, not just in the post-season. Of course he would be better than Moehler or an injured Reynold's, but he's no Superman.
I don't see how you can disagree with cold, hard facts, but considering Pettitte's reputation according to the media, it happens a lot. I'll give you one more set of numbers and then I'll drop it. Before 2003, when Pettitte had a phenomenal post-season, here were his career playoff stats. Mind you that he already was considered a clutch big-game pitcher coming into this season. Postseason: 10-7, 4.49 ERA, 1.33 WHIP in 25 GS World Series: 2-3, 5.09 ERA, 1.53 ERA in 8 GS
Maybe you should alert major league baseball and inform them that Pettitte sucks because GMs everywhere seem to disagree.
Kindly point me to the post where I said 'Pettitte sucks'. He's a good pitcher, just not the clutch god everyone paints him to be. Even if I did say he sucked, why would I alert major league baseball? What would they do about it?
When has Brian Moehler ever pitched in a big game for the Astros? I guess I was severely underestimating the importance of those three games he pitched for us last April.
I stand corrected...but who was the stiff we wheeled out ( he actually may have pitched an ok game...i thought it was moehler...obviously it wasnt) in like game 3 vs Atl a couple yrs ago....my point being is that Pettitte drastically improves our chances in a playoff series...perhaps giving us the best 1-2-3 combo in baseball
So, what's the point? Does this guarantee that Pettite will be clutch in the postseason for the Astros next year should we make it? Of course not. Moises Alou was the MVP of the WS on the 1997(?) Marlins. And he hit quite badly in the postseason with the Astros the next year. I agree with Hammer that this whole 'clutch pitcher' thing is ridiculously overrated. Especially since Pettite is a Yankees player. To trust the hype of New York media over cold hard stats is ludicrous.
Astros to explore Pettitte possibility By Alyson Footer / MLB.com Left-hander Andy Pettitte won 21 games for the Yankees in 2003. (Julie Jacobson/AP) HOUSTON -- Andy Pettitte is officially available now that the left-hander has filed for free agency, and the Houston Astros plan to explore the possibility of luring the Deer Park, Texas, native to Minute Maid Park. Pettitte, 31, filed Thursday, along with teammate and fellow Houstonian Roger Clemens, who stands by his word that he is indeed retiring from the Major Leagues. Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker acknowledged that he is interested in pursuing an opportunity to speak with Pettitte and his agents, Alan and Randy Hendricks. "I can't imagine there's a team out there that wouldn't love to add Andy Pettitte to their rotation," Hunsicker said. "We plan to look into possibly sitting down with Andy and his representatives and looking into the matter." Hunsicker will head to Phoenix on Monday for the general manager meetings and declined to comment on whether he will pursue dialogue with the Hendricks while he is there. Monday is the first day that teams are allowed to discuss dollar figures with free agents. Pettitte, who won 21 games in 2003, is one of the top three free agent pitchers on the market and will undoubtedly be hearing from suitors around the league. He said throughout the season that he wanted to return to the Yankees, but he admitted on Wednesday at a golf tournament in Houston that playing at home "would be kind of neat." "Then again other parts would be kind of a headache so, again in my own mind I'm not trying to fashion that (scenario) in my head because I'm so in tuned with New York and ingrained with New York," Pettitte said. "If things start happening in that direction then I'll think about it." Pettitte earned $11.5 million last season and it has been speculated that he is seeking a four-year deal worth approximately $50 million. The Yankees have said that they are interested in re-signing Pettite, whom they drafted in 1990 and eventually signed in May of 1991. The Astros may have created a little room in their budget after trading closer Billy Wagner but also are in the process of creating more "payroll flexibility" by looking to rid themselves of lucrative contracts in an effort to distribute funds more evenly. It's likely that in order for the Astros to afford Pettitte, they would have to first have to find a team to take outfielder Richard Hidalgo, who will make $12.5 million in the final year of his four-year deal and has a club option for an additional $15 million in '05. Pettitte has a record of 149-78 with a 3.94 ERA over his nine-year Yankees career that includes 23 complete games and 1,275 strikeouts. The left-hander has four World Series rings from the Yankees' championship years of 1996 and 1998-2000. Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Pettitte here... and possibly the Rocket? As a pitcher? Or a pitching coach? I know he's "standing by his word" and all, but everyone's entitled to at least one rebuttal these days, or "comeback" if you will... That would be decent. Woods? How do you "know" so? And who'll replace Hidalgo when he leaves?
First of all. Andy Pettitte is coming to Houston, I have no doubt about that. And the one reason I think the rocket will also become an Astro is becaues he had a disapointing season by his standards, and would like nothing more than to contribute to his hometown. Player or coach, I don't know? By the way, I went to Spring Woods. And believe me he picthed there. As far as Doggy goes, I guess the Astros have enough confidence in Jason Lane to fill his postion. I personly don't think he's ready, but we will find out sooner or latter, won't we?
four years, $40-45 million sound good? http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/134479p-119880c.html Andy Pettitte filed for free agency yesterday, officially raising the question that has been hovering over Yankeeland all season: How much will it cost to keep him? "It almost doesn't matter," said one high-ranking baseball executive. "They just need to get him back. There are plenty of things they can do this winter — outfield, bullpen, whatever — but he's got to be their top priority." Unfortunately, the Yankees aren't alone in coveting Pettitte. The 31-year-old Texan has said he'd like to play closer to his home in the Houston suburb of Deer Park, giving the Astros hope that they can lure him from the Bronx. Houston GM Gerry Hunsicker cleared salary when he traded closer Billy Wagner to the Phillies, and industry sources said the Astros will probably be able to offer Pettitte a deal in the neighborhood of $40million to $45million over four years. The Yankees, sources say, will probably have to offer Pettitte close to $50million to $55million over four years, but the gap between the two potential offers isn't as wide as it might seem. There is no state income tax in Texas, meaning the net value of any Houston contract (compared to the same one in New York) is higher. Pettitte made $11.5million last year, about $4million less than top-paid pitcher Kevin Brown. "Andy is totally open-minded," said Randy Hendricks, one of Pettitte's agents, in an E-mail yesterday. "This could be tough for (the Yankees)," one baseball source said. "Everyone knows they can offer more money, but it might not be about that." Indeed, there are several potential turnoffs for Pettitte, starting with the possibility that pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre — who is very close to Pettitte — will not return. Even if Stottlemyre does, it's unlikely that he — or Joe Torre — will remain past next season. So if Pettitte signs a four-year deal, he could be looking at three seasons where he's not sure what the clubhouse will look like. Whatever the makeup of the team, Pettitte will probably have a better chance to add to his four World Series titles in New York. Winning 200-plus games on the Yankees stage (he has 149) could also ease his road into the Hall of Fame. "I love being at home (in Texas), but it would be weird for me to put on another uniform because of what I've been through in New York," Pettitte told reporters at his charity golf tournament in Deer Park on Wednesday. "We'll see what happens. I have some decisions I have to make and I'll make them. When I've got to think about these decisions, then I'll think about them." GM Brian Cashman did not return a phone call yesterday, but several agents and executives said that the Yankees' decision not to negotiate with Pettitte's agents during the past two weeks isn't a big deal. Although Cashman had a window in which the Yankees were the only team allowed to talk money with agents Alan and Randy Hendricks, it was unlikely that anything would have been settled that quickly. As one agent said, "If they weren't going to talk six months ago, what's the rush?" Starting on Monday, however, it's open season, and any team can negotiate with the Hendricks brothers, who say they will not be at the GM meetings in Phoenix next week. If the Yankees aren't able to hook Pettitte, they'll have plenty of money to sign another starter — maybe even two. Kevin Millwood and Bartolo Colon are the other top-rated hurlers on the free-agent market, but both would be a step down from Pettitte, who tied a career high with 21 victories this past season. Of the 16 winningest pitchers in baseball last year, only two — Pettitte and Jamie Moyer — are southpaws. Colon, Millwood and Expos ace Javier Vazquez — who could be available via trade — are all righties. "You can't replace that advantage," said one scout. "It's not just losing his wins — you also lose the pickoff move and the righty-lefty look in the rotation." The Yankees are already facing a season without Roger Clemens (who is a good friend of Pettitte's) and possibly lefty David Wells. If Pettitte goes too, next year's rotation could feature Mike Mussina, Jose Contreras, Jeff Weaver, Jon Lieber and one of the free agents. The Rocket, 41, also filed for free agency yesterday but is still expected to retire. Playing at Pettitte's golf tournament two days ago, Clemens said his plan hasn't changed and shot down speculation that he could play for his hometown Astros next season. Pettitte, on the other hand, just might. It would be a radical move for a player whom the Yankees drafted in 1990 and who would be entering his 10th season in pinstripes, but the possibility is real. "I think he's going to stay with them," said one baseball insider. "Letting him go would definitely be a big mistake."
