Pettite Declines Option
The New York Yankees have done more losing over the past few
weeks than a sheltered,
making their first trip to
Since being eliminated from the playoffs in mid-October, the Pinstripers have lost
the best manager in baseball, the best hitter in baseball and now
they might lose their best pitcher.
Andy Pettite, the Yankees only truly reliable starter this
season, declined a $16 million option to rejoin the team yesterday,
proving that he’s still uncertain about whether or not he wants to pitch next year.
Although this move technically makes Pettite a free agent, the southpaw has
stated that he will either pitch for
York
with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner said about the
Yankees wanting to give Andy all the time he needs to decide about next season,”
Pettitte’s agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday. “Accordingly, we are declining
to exercise the option for 2008 and Andy will declare free agency in order to
free up a roster spot for the Yankees.”
That’s a classy move by Pettite. Although the Yankees lost
their class this offseason, it clearly hasn’t affected their players. But
if they keep this losing streak up, they might lose more than just class and a
few superstars: Their streak of 12 consecutive postseason appearances might
vanish as well.
