Andy Pettitte Pulled A Roger Clemens

Andy Pettitte will not retire. Rather, he will pitch for the New York Yankees in 2008. Andy Pettitte pulled a Roger Clemens by being indecisive whether he wanted to retire or not and saying he wanted to be close to his family

Pettitte had declined a $16 million option last month, saying he needed more time, and catcher Jorge Posada said last week that Pettitte was leaning toward retirement. The pitcher had said late in the season that it had become increasingly difficult to be away from his family during the season.

Pettitte was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA this year in his return to the Yankees following three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. He went 11-3 after the All-Star break and was New York's most effective starter during the first-round playoff loss to Cleveland, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 2.

New York had said it could wait until next month for Pettitte to make a decision. Cashman said the $16 million option Pettitte declined was a standing offer.

All of the Yankees' major free agents have now decided to return, with Pettitte following Posada, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and closer Mariano Rivera.

New York's projected rotation now includes Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, with Ian Kennedy in reserve. Wait a minute.....Joba as a starter? Is Joba ready for a starting position? What happens to their amazing bullpen if Joba becomes a starter. See, this is why the Yankees need Johan Santana so badly. If he becomes their ace, Joba can become their closer again. Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Sunday his preference was to make the deal for Santana, which would give New York a stronger ace.