The rest of the local teams’ free agents, including big names Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez, probably will not be extended that courtesy, according to multiple industry sources.
This is just unbelievably stupid if it’s true. Max Kellerman was on the radio with Keith Law and apparently the Yankees are worried if Pettitte is penciled in, they won’t be able to afford Burnett. Is that extra $4million of salary really going to break them? Additionally, making decisions based on free agents you might sign–who will likely not give you the 200 innings Pettitte does–is ridiculous.
Right now the rotation for next year is:
Chien-Ming Wang – Mystery Pitcher – Mystery Pitcher – Mystery Pitcher – Joba Chamberlain (penciled in here at #5 because of the innings cap)
If they get Sabathia it will be:
CC Sabathia – Chien-Ming Wang – Mystery Pitcher – Mystery Pitcher – Joba Chamberlain
Add in Burnett and it’s
Sabathia-Wang-Burnett-Mystery Pitcher-Chamberlain
Who is going to give the 200 innings or so in that last mystery pitcher spot? Oliver Perez? Why give up draft picks that the team needs to restock the farm system when you can sign an equivalent pitcher right now for a one year deal?
And this is assuming that everything goes along the mystery plan. The idea that they’re making plans around players they might or may not sign is pretty rage inducing. Is that $4 million between what Pettitte wants and what the team wants to pay really going to cause them to not be able to offer Burnett some ridiculous deal he shouldn’t be offered? I really doubt that, especially when you consider Pettitte’s salary would come off the books again next year since he apparently doesn’t mind signing for one year. This is really shortsighted thinking if true.
I realize some of this is really angry rambling but it there are already too many questions in the rotation to create another one through stubbornness.