Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Andy Pettitte

Johan Santana Rumors: Wednesday

By | at

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:50pm: Tim Brown says the Red Sox had a moment of doubt, but they remain the frontrunner for Santana.  The previously mentioned packages apply.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:21pm: LENIII checks in on the interest level of the six teams involved.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:05pm: Santana’s agent, Peter Greenberg, indicated that the Mets are in the running for Santana.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:48pm: BP’s John Perrotto talked to a Twins official, and it definitely looks like the Meetings will end without a Johan deal.  Perrotto says he’s still likely to be dealt before Spring Training.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:18pm: Ken Rosenthal believes the door is open for more teams to jump in, especially the Mariners.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:43pm: Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are trying to work their way back into the mix.  They’re still viewed as a longshot without Jose Reyes in the offer, but at least the Twins are listening.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:21pm: The Red Sox and Twins are still engaged in talks.  The Sox are still considering the Yankees a factor.  And no, Ellsbury signing on with Boras doesn’t change the Twins’ opinion of him.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 11:26am: Joel Sherman describes Boston’s two goals in the Santana Sweepstakes.  He wonders whether the Sox and Twins could reach an accord on players and then the Red Sox wouldn’t be able to agree with Santana on an extension.  Meanwhile Gammons himself reiterates that he senses the Twins will hold onto Santana.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:54am: Peter Gammons via Amy Nelson is saying Santana may not be traded.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:56am: According to Keith Law via MetsBlog, the Twins have reached out to the Mets, Dodgers, and Angels to revisit Santana talks.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:43am: Joel Sherman agrees with Bill Madden’s take below – part of the reason the Yankees pulled out is that even they have a payroll.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 8:30am: The Yankees could’ve had Santana for Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez, and Mitch Hilligoss.  Brian Cashman, however, never wanted to sacrifice Hughes for Santana and convinced his bosses that the Yankees couldn’t afford him now that Andy Pettitte is in the fold.  This near-trade won’t be forgotten by Yankees fans, unless Hughes takes off in ’08.

FROM 12-5-07 at 12:55am:

Time for a fresh Johan thread.  Yesterday’s had 297 comments on it.

The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford says the Red Sox told Ryan Kalish’s agent that his name has never come up in the Santana talks with Minnesota.  Peter Gammons had said the 19 year-old outfielder was added to the deal to make it a 5-for-1 around 3pm yesterday.

Astros Pushed For Pettitte

By | at

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:47am: I missed an interesting note from Ken Davidoff’s blog yesterday.  Apparently the Astros made a hard push to get Pettitte for ’08.

FROM 12-4-07 at 3:39pm:

From near-retirement to playing until age 45.  Andy Pettitte is all over the place.  Pettitte told a Houston TV station his arm would allow him to get guys out for another ten years, though he didn’t specifically say he wanted to play that long.  He did, however, express interest in being around for the Yanks’ new stadium in 2009.

Odds and Ends: Loretta, Pettitte, Affeldt

By | at

Random Winter Meetings rumors…

Pettitte Will Play For Yankees In ’08

By | at

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 9:30am: Peter Abraham says Pettitte will pitch for $16MM, which was his original option.

FROM 12-3-07 at 7:26am:

According to the Houston Chronicle, Andy Pettitte has informed friends and teammates that he will pitch for the Yankees in 2008.  The Yankees have been informed as well.

This is a great news for the Yankees, who gain some leverage in the Johan Santana negotiations.

Graziano On Pettitte

By | at

I recently asked Yankees Rumor Royalty winner Dan Graziano about free agent Andy Pettitte.  Graziano covers the Yankees for the Newark Star-Ledger.

MLBTR: What’s your best guess on Andy Pettitte’s decision for 2008?

Dan Graziano: Among the players I’ve ever covered, if there’s one who might leave a guaranteed $16 million on the table in exchange for early retirement and an increase in time at home with his family, it’s Andy Pettitte. However, I don’t believe there is such a player. My gut says Andy will agonize for a while — maybe even long enough to scare the Yankees into adding another year or an option to the deal — and then come back and play for the Yankees for  $16 million in 2008. But that’s a guess. Which is all I have, and all you asked for.

Odds and Ends: Clark, Izturis, Clemens

By | at

First day for teams to negotiate with free agents, always a good time.  Here are today’s odds and ends.

  • Jeff Blair notes that one athlete may still be better paid than Alex Rodriguez: Kimi Raikkonen, a Formula One driver, earns $51MM per year.  No need to debate on whether race car drivers should be considered athletes, I just thought it was interesting.
  • The D’Backs don’t figure to spend much on free agents, because they’re a smart team. Tony Clark wants two years, $4MM, and the team is thinking it over.
  • The Bucs will probably hold onto Jack Wilson this winter, as they’re cutting Cesar Izturis loose rather than pay him $5.45MM.  The Cardinals have interest in Izturis, by the way.
  • Confirming what we already knew: the Yankees will pursue Mike Lowell and Johan Santana.
  • Marty York has a source saying the Blue Jays might pursue Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.  Say what?
  • Doug Melvin isn’t planning on moving Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun from third base unless the Brewers acquire another "legitimate, bona fide third baseman."
  • Mark Gonzales notes that the White Sox tried to acquire Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel in 2006, implying that Kenny Williams might go after one of them now.  Linebrink is going to be a costly sign, as he’s a Type A and I imagine the Brewers will offer him arbitration.
  • Scott Gregor places odds on various center field possibilities for the White Sox.  He thinks they have a decent chance of trading for Coco Crisp.

Odds and Ends: Lowell, Sabathia, Polanco

By | at

I’m going to start up a catch-all Odds and Ends post for smaller rumors and notes today.  Refresh to see it grow.

Andy Pettitte Declines Option

By | at

Andy Pettitte has declined his $16MM player option for 2008, but his goal is not to test the free agent market.  His choices remain the Yankees or retirement; basically by declining the option now he frees up a roster spot for the team.

As Peter Abraham writes, the Yankees would certainly prefer not to wait several months before hearing Pettitte’s plans.  I was almost certain he’d come back for ’08.  Still, it would not be the end of the world to enter next season with a rotation of Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy.  They’d prefer more depth and will probably add another guy, but what they have now is still better than most teams.

Cafardo’s Latest: Drew, Pettitte, Lincecum

By | at

The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo works his way through all the teams in anticipation of Monday’s GM meetings.  Here are some of the rumors we haven’t seen much before.

  • The Rays want a defensive-minded shortstop and veteran starter.  Maybe they’ll make a play for Cesar Izturis or Omar Vizquel.  A rehab guy like Freddy Garcia or Randy Wolf could be interesting.
  • The Indians are looking for a power bat for left field.  Haven’t seen them mentioned with Barry Bonds at all, could that work?
  • Cafardo proposes the idea of the Cubs acquiring J.D. Drew as their OBP-minded right field acquisition.  Drew has a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block two unknown teams.  I imagine the Red Sox would have to eat some salary.
  • Cafardo also speculates that Andy Pettitte could follow Joe Torre to L.A.  Pettitte has previously talked about a Yankees or retirement stance.
  • The idea of the Giants trading Tim Lincecum seemed crazy at first, right?  Cafardo says they may be willing to do so for a "stud outfielder."  How about Delmon Young? 
  • Scott Boras is already busting out mystery teams with A-Rod, who apparently would love to play for the Red Sox.

Pettitte: Yankees Or Retirement

By | at

Andy Pettitte has made an honorable decision – if he pitches in 2008, it will be for the Yankees.  He respects the fact that they awarded him a $16MM player option.  Sure, he could decline it and get a bigger multiyear package elsewhere.  Many speculated he’d do so.  However the extra money isn’t a concern for him.

My best guess is that he’ll exercise the option.  That would be odd, though, a player exercising a player option when it actually represents his true worth.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top