Pettitte rejects Yankees’ offer

Tyler Kepner just broke the story. Basically, Pettitte wants more money and he could still return at a higher salary, but I don’t think the Yankees will bend much, based on what we’ve seen and heard (and based on what solid offensive players received today). Kepner also notes that there is no new offer available, either. Andy should have shown some loyalty this time around, after the Yankees stuck with him during the Mitchell Report fiasco. Kepner speculates that by seeing the Yankees spend and spend on other players this off-season, Pettitte may feel slighted (he knows they have money). Then again, Andy Pettitte is no CC, no A.J. and no Tex.

Maybe it’s time for the Yankees to move on and use that 5th spot to get younger (and, with that, more cost efficient). Or, the Yankees could wait for Derek Lowe to sign (they won’t make a play for him) and then use his yearly salary as a marker for Pettitte (meaning, Pettitte would make $3 million or so less than that amount).

UPDATE - Bryan Hoch emphasizes that, based on what other Yankees have said, Pettitte is certainly amenable to returning and this is simply a money-driven situation. However, at this point, despite a very positive Bill James projection for Pettitte’s 2009 season, why not just allow Ian Kennedy to pitch? I know the standard reaction is to say that Phil Hughes is the frontrunner for the 5th spot, but all he has shown at this level is that he can’t replicate his mechanics enough to stay at this level (injuries are a result of his mechanics’ repeatability). IPK hasn’t always been the most mature guy yet that’s not what you desperately need from him. Innings are the main problem right now and, at this point, IPK can give more than Hughes.