There had been some speculation that 38-year-old left-hander Andy Pettitte would let the New York Yankees know this week whether he was going to retire or return to the team’s starting rotation in 2011.
Alas, that does not appear to be the case.
“We’ve been moving forward as if he’s not playing,” Cashman said. “He may tell us otherwise at some point, but, no, this week we’re not expecting to hear anything from Andy. He’s already given us the courtesy on several occasions of telling us don’t count on him and he’s not expecting to play. It’s not official, but he didn’t want to hold us up.”
Many around the Yankees believe Pettitte is going to retire. Cashman said Pettitte has been clear that is the way he is leaning. The GM went so far as to say he would not even expect a call from Pettitte if he elects to retire, only one if he wants to play in 2011.
“He might call and say, ‘Hey, I want to play,’ but I don’t expect a call with him telling us, ‘Hey, I’m not playing,’ because he’s kind of already told us don’t count on me playing,” Cashman said.
So, it still seems like Pettitte won’t be pitching for the Yankees in 2011. Unless, of course, he pulls a Roger Clemens, takes the first couple of months of the season off and comes back for the second half. I suppose anything is possible.
For now, though, the Yankees are left scraping what remains of a weak free-agent crop looking for guys who might be able to help them. Among available un-signed starters right now are Brian Bannister, Jeff Francis, Justin Duscherer, Freddy Garcia, Braden Looper and Brad Penny.