ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season.


"I have spoken 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 in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "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.


"If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the Yankees within 24 hours. The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement. He appreciates the Yankees' willingness to give him the time he feels he needs. I do not expect him to make a decision for quite some time."

The 35-year-old left-hander went 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA for the Yankees this year, including 11-3 after the All-Star break. He was their most effective starter in the postseason, pitching 6 1-3 scoreless innings in Game 2 of New York's first-round loss to Cleveland.

Pettitte had until Wednesday to decide on his option, part of the contract he agreed to last December when he returned to the Yankees after three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. That deal paid him a $16 million salary this year.

Rest of the story: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7413470?MSNHPHMA

I saw this yesterday. I think he either resigns with the Yankees, even though he declined the option, or he joins Joe Torre out West in LA.

:(

he'll retire.

Good point. I'll second that statement.

I think this shows that he's really considering retirement. If he was leaning more towards coming back, I think he would have just stayed with the Yankees. I can't picture him playing in anything but pinstripes, so, he'll most likely retire.

He said that he only wants to play for the Yankees, so in my opinion I think he's going to retire, except if Clemens goes back with the Astros then there's a chance that Pettite would follow him. It would be ashame to see him leave the game especially at his early age. Hopefully he'll pitch again.

He wants to play with the Only "Real" Good team in the AL that being the Redsox.

It wouldn't suprise me to see a lot of the Yankees following, or wanting to follow Torre out to LA.

However you probably won't see any many pitchers following Torre to a league where they are forced to pick up a bat and start swinging.

Which brings up an interesting question, how do you think Torre will fair without the luxury of a DH?

I think its something he can and will work around, but I think it will take him some time to get used to it.


Richard