Consistent, durable, and persevering; all words that can be used to describe the illustrious 16-year career of Andrew "Andy" Eugene Pettitte.
Since making his debut on April 29, 1995, the burly southpaw has been as dependable as they come. Armed with a devastating repertoire, sound mechanics, a deceptive pick-off move, and a frightening over-the-glove stare, Pettitte has been a fixture as one of the top lefties in the game for years. The Deer Park, TX native has won 240 games over the course of his career, 20 games in a season twice, and 19 postseason games, the most of any pitcher in MLB history. Also, he was a key piece in the New York Yankees' 5 World Series Championships between 1996 and 2009. In spite of the Mitchell Report which revealed him to have used HGH in the early 2000s, Pettitte still has a legitimate chance of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, thanks in part to his honesty regarding the matter. Debates regarding Pettitte's chances have already started.
But Pettitte is not finished yet. Or is he?
After spending the first 9 years of his Major League career with the Yankees, Pettitte left for three years to play for his hometown Houston Astros and be closer to his family. He returned to New York, however, signing a two-year deal in the 2006-7 offseason. Since that contract expired at the end of the 2008 season, Pettitte has gone home every offseason to ponder his baseball future. The homegrown Yankee has been faced with a common challenge among baseball players; striking a balance between family and career. In the previous two offseasons, Pettitte has chosen the latter, signing one-year pacts to return to the Bronx. This offseason, however, has been a different story. Less than two weeks away from Spring Training, Pettitte is still a free agent, unsure of what to do. In years past, Pettitte has not taken this long to decide what to do for the upcoming baseball season.
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman has said many times that Pettitte has told the Yankees not to count on him to return for another season. Although Pettitte has yet to make a concrete decision about 2011 and his career, the Yankees have proceeded as if he will not sign. Much to their dismay, the Yankees will head into camp with a less-than-stellar rotation. A bright spot will be consistent all-star hurler C.C. Sabathia who shouldered 237.2 innings last season, winning 21 games. Following Sabathia will be the talented, but still inexperienced righty Phil Hughes, who did win 18 games in 2010 in spite of some second-half struggles. Next will be A.J. Burnett whose 2010 season was disastrous, to say the least. Rounding out the rotation will be rookie Ivan Nova and the inconsistent Sergio Mitre. After missing out on Cliff Lee to the Phillies, the Yankees rotation is certainly in a flux.
Should Pettitte decide to return for the 2011 season, he has made it clear that it will be his last. Pettitte has not shown any interest in returning to the Astros as he intends to retire as a Yankee.
Recent reports have indicated that Pettitte has been working out in his Deer Park, TX home, but the workouts have been minimal compared to those of previous years.
Neither Pettitte's ability nor his age have been called into question this offseason. Coming off a season in which he posted an impressive 3.28 ERA, Pettitte can still get the job done. This is Pettitte's dilemma and ultimately his decision. If he does decide to return, Cashman said he and the Yankees will gladly welcome Pettitte back.
Only time will tell what the veteran will do.
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