Agent says Andy Pettitte will play in '07 By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Andy Pettitte, the Astros’ free agent lefthander, has decided to play in 2007, his agents informed the Houston Chronicle. “Has decided to play in 07,” Randy Hendricks e-mailed the Chronicle. Pettitte, according to a high-ranking National League official has a one-year offer worth about $12 million from the Astros. Reports out of New York say Pettitte has a one-year $15 million offer from the New York Yankees.
Good to hear... I would be suprised if he went back to NY, but it wouldn't "shock" me, since I understand that Andy is as competitive as it gets, and October baseball isn't guaranteed anywhere but NY.
Interesting quote from Purpura about Pettitte being out if we make a trade. By my count, we have two established pitchers (Roy O and Woody) and one youngster with a spot virtually guaranteed (Hirsch). If we made a trade (assuming it didn't involve Hirsch), we would still be going into camp with the 5th spot open. What would be wrong with making a trade (especially if it's for Peavy, but even for Jennings/Garcia) and signing Pettitte? Are they saving a slot for Roger? It could be that Stark nailed it: if Pettitte goes elsewhere, we may have a trade for a starter lined up, and that money would go towards Huff to replace the lost part (outfielder or Ensberg). I would give Pettitte a 2nd year player option that vests if he hits 130 innings or so. It's certainly curious that "by Christmas" comes 3 weeks early...
OMG - if we landed Peavy by giving up Ensberg (and I'd assume much more)...to sign Huff as backfill. That would be a dream come true. I love Plan B more than Plan A. I love Pettite, but give me Peavy and Huff over Pettitte and Ensberg (and bullpen or young SP?, I'd assume). No questions asked. Of course, if Pettite brings you Roger, then that is materially altering my thought and above take on this situation.
If it's Burke or Wily T as the principle piece outgoing, yes. But if Ensberg or Lidge (or both) is our bait for a pitcher, it's hard to imagine our payroll increasing significantly.
It does when you have to go out there and get a new third baseman (Huff), and a new closer/releif pitcher... in addition to signing Pettite.
But Peavy is relatively cheap and locked up thru '09....if he were a FA, he would be one of the 15-18 mil/yr guys....right now I think he is in the 7-9 range
which leads us to this question...why the hell would they trade him??? who started this rumor?? the padres just added maddux. they're adding starting pitching. why in the world would they trade away one of the most effective starters on their staff who is sooooo affordable in this era where everyone seems so overpaid??
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Pettitte,-Clemens-reunion-in-Bro?urn=mlb,17075 The New York Yankees are confident they will outbid the Houston Astros for the services of lefty Andy Pettitte. After losing out on Ted Lilly, another left-handed starter, the Yanks are prepared to offer Pettitte as much as $15 million, and possibly a two-year deal. Roger Clemens could follow his friend and longtime teammate back to the Bronx, perhaps as late as the second half of the season. Source: New York Times Man, I would really dissapointed in Andy if he simply goes to the Yankees because they are offering more money than the Astros, after all his talk about wanting to spend more time with his family. I am not so worried about Roger playing for the Yankees because I am not sure if they will allow him to have the same 'special circumstances clause' in his contract. Please Timmy, find a starting pitcher, I do not want to see any more of Wandy
Let me see if I can make a few changes to this to show how much value I put into this blurb (BTW no offense to ultimatepaki, it's just that the NY Times is about as credible as my "Source")
Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere. link to SI.com article It's interesting that he says the Garland deal was Willy, Hirsh and Buchholz, and that it was called off due to "concerns about the health of Buchholz".
This Pettitte thing seems so surreal to me. It seems like just a few months ago we thought if Andy came back it would be for a pretty reasonable contract considering his overall performance the last 3 years. Now we're talking about him making maybe twice as much as that. I'm fed up with him and want the Astros to trade for an established pitcher amd move on, but if we lose Buchholz (no biggie) and Hirsh (high hopes for him), I get the feeling that the last 2 spots in the rotation will be ridiculously weak. I don't want to see Wandy pitching again, but I guess he finds a way to win during the first half of the season.
This is standard b*stard Brothers negotiating tactics to drive up the price. They've done this same song & dance with Clemens in the past (when he was with Toronto & the past 2 offseasons with Houston). Now Randy b*stard added in passing to Footer that, oh by the way, "the Cardinals are interested too", along with the usual laughable Rangers option. Very telling that Andy's "Christmas decision" to pitch in '07 came about 3 weeks early, immediately after the Astros said publicly that they were going to do the first good pitching deal that became available. They're squeezing the Stros for money, plain & simple.
