推 lulu0408:Andy應該不想離開Hoston吧....@@ 12/05 20:11
推 caster5210:大帥哥快回來吧 12/06 01:53
THe New York Times
By TYLER KEPNER
Published: December 5, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 4 — In another era, before Brian Cashman gained more
authority as a general manager, the Yankees might have led the industry’s
spending spree on free agents.
“You live and learn,” Cashman said. “Every year you try to be better at
what you do. Your confidence level and ability to assess things grows.”
Cashman said he was focused solely on pitchers at the winter meetings, yet
the Yankees are resisting most free agents. They have determined that their
best fit is a pitcher who may retire, Andy Pettitte of the Houston Astros, a
known quantity in New York who would probably want a one-year deal for as
much as $15 million.
Even if Pettitte keeps pitching, he might not leave his hometown, Houston.
The Yankees must wait for his decision, and the Astros would also like an
answer soon. “I hope we’ll get a decision within a couple of days,” said
Tal Smith, the Astros’ president.
Smith would offer no guesses on which way Pettitte, 34, was leaning. He said
that Tim Purpura, the Astros’ general manager, has been in regular contact
with Pettitte’s agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks.
Even after signing the free-agent starter Woody Williams, the Astros could
offer Pettitte more than $10 million. Pettitte has said he will decide by
Christmas, but with so much money at stake, the Astros would rather know
sooner.
“There are no ultimatums or deadlines,” Smith said. “But there’s a mutual
understanding that this affects things for us and for them, too.”
Randy Hendricks said in an e-mail message regarding a Pettitte decision, “I
would say on or before Dec. 22.” The future of Pettitte’s old Yankees
teammate, center fielder Bernie Williams, is also in question. Cashman is not
sure there will be room on the bench for Williams.
“Bernie has been a great Yankee for quite some time,” Cashman said. “But
at the same time, I’m going to continue to look at the 2007 roster and who
the best fits are.”
For now, the Yankees’ backup outfielder is Melky Cabrera, who has attracted
strong interest from other teams, Cashman said. Colorado and Florida need
center fielders and have young pitchers who are not signed to long-term deals.
But the Rockies are trying to re-sign starter Jason Jennings before
entertaining offers for him. The Marlins insist they will not deal their
young ace, Dontrelle Willis.
Cashman, meanwhile, has told teams he is not shopping his top pitching
prospect, Phil Hughes, or his beleaguered star third baseman, Alex Rodriguez.
But teams still ask.
Cashman, who casually tossed a football as he spoke with reporters in his
suite, said he needed to sign a backup infielder but could fill other
openings from within.
METS TALK TO ZITO’S AGENT The Mets met in Orlando last night with Scott
Boras, the agent for pitcher Barry Zito, and they were no doubt given a
binder crammed with data detailing Zito’s value. But no matter how many
persuasive statistics Boras supplies the Mets, the only number that
ultimately matters is the one the Mets offer him.
With reports suggesting that the Texas Rangers are willing to offer $100
million or more over six years, it is highly unlikely that the Mets would
match such a figure. They are reluctant to go longer than five years and will
not submit to the escalating market.
“I can’t worry about what other teams are doing,” Minaya said.
It is doubtful that Zito will sign this week, unless Boras and Zito are
bowled over by a figure. The real question for the Mets is whether Zito would
snatch a more lucrative offer to play in a place like Texas’ Ameriquest
Field, a notorious hitters haven, and for a lesser team, or take less money
to play for his former pitching coach, Rick Peterson, in New York.
The Mets have options if they lose Zito. With Vicente Padilla poised to
re-sign with the Rangers, the Mets’ primary alternative through free agency
is Mark Mulder. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and probably will not
be ready by opening day, but he would be worth taking a chance on if the Mets
could find a front-line starter in a trade.
Minaya said it was too early to tell whether he could swing a trade this
week, but he has compiled a “wish list” of pitchers. The Mets have inquired
about the Rangers’ surplus of relievers, remain interested in the White Sox’
Freddy Garci'a and Javier Va'zquez, and have also looked at Mark Buehrle.
Buehrle, who is 10 months younger than Zito, went 12-13 with a 4.99 earned
run average last season but has won 16 or more games four times in seven
seasons. He will become a free agent after next season, however, and it is
doubtful that the Mets would mortgage a prospect like Lastings Milledge
without being granted a window to negotiate an extension.
The Mets also covet Colorado’s Jason Jennings but face a similar situation.
He would probably command an extension worth $10 million or $11 million
annually. BEN SHPIGEL
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