Andy Pettitte spoke out about next season to Christian Red of the NY Daily News before Sunday’s game against the Red Sox. He implied he is looking to stay with Bronx Bombers next year.
"I really would hate . . . I really don't want to go into the offseason, you know, and sit there and be a free agent again, have to worry about other people making me offers and whatever," the lefthander told the Daily News before the rubber game against the Red Sox.
Pettitte sounds eager to sign another contract with his beloved Yankees. That makes two core players of this season excited for a new deal to stay with the Yanks.
Johnny Damon, who is having a career-year, has been very open with the media about his wanting to return to New York next season and possibly beyond.
Anyway, Pettitte is having a very solid year after agreeing to a one-year, $5.5 million deal with incentives prior to this season. He’s 10-6 with a 4.25 ERA, and would easily have three more wins with some decent run support. His strikeout totals are right where they should be at this point in the season, but his walks have already surpassed last year’s total.
Another number to keep in mind is his age. He is 37 years old and turns 38 next June. That is not terribly old for a starter, but he is definitely nearing his end.
I have been extremely content with Pettitte, and have enjoyed watching him pitch on numerous occasions. As far as I’m concerned, he has been a steal for the Yankees considering what they are paying their top two starters ($30.5 million total between CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett).
I think the Yankees should continue to re-sign Pettitte in one-year increments as long as he continues to provide quality starts.
