The thing about Zito is that his career ERA against the Yankees and the Red Sox is about 2 runs higher than his ERA against other teams. He's a good pitcher against teams that swing at his curveball, but patient lineups punish him by laying off his his curveball when they are ahead in the count. I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to pay $100 million for a 3rd starter.
I understand why guys don't want Zito. The thing is, in a rotation of Wang, Moose, Pettite, and RJ, his change of speed would be huge. I'm not worried about him against Boston. We score a lot. We can make up the difference. As far as the money, if there were a hard cap, I would be totally agaisnt spending the money. Since we blow out the luxury cap every year, we may as well have the best possible. Honestly, besides Pettite, what other pitcher on the FA market can offer as much as Zito against 95% of the league? If we don't get him, I won't be upset. At the same time, I'd be really happy if we brought him into the fold.
Cashman's entire plan this winter has focused around not increasing the luxury tax for the long term. He has stayed away from long term deals and overpaying for the long term. He's not going to just totally go against his plan. It's not like this is Santana. He won't throw away everything he's worked for over the last year for a #3 starter. It was even said he had Steinbrenner's blessing to add both Pettitte and Lilly, but decided not to give a #4 starter, #2 money. He's not going to turn around and give a #3 starter, #1 money (for an even longer commitment). He would be a laughing stock. That's why they've focused on Pettitte, who at most will get a 2 year deal.
ESPNEWS Breaking News: Buster Olney reports the Yankees and SP Andy Pettitte have agreed to a 1 year deal.
Meh, it's only 1 year, so I'm happy. Didn't want to give him any more than that. Hopefully he's not done.
Pettite may be the only Yankee I have ever liked, but I see this ending badly. I think his elbow is worse than people seem to think, and he will have to readjust to the AL East. I think he ends up another Johnson/Mussina type at this point, and I think the Yankees have enough of those guys already. We'll see.
I'll admit, I have that same fear myself. But Pettite was great for us, and he is tough as nails. Plus, he's a great post-season pitcher. He's worth it to me to take the chance on.
Wow that is alot of coin for an aging pitcher with elbow problems. I certainly didn't expect him to get that much. I have a feeling this could become another Carlos Beltran situation where 2-3 years from now Yankee fans are thinking WTF didn't we sign Zito..
I'm not sure how you're putting Johnson with Mussina? This year, if Pettitte pitches like Mussina did last year, that would be phenomenal. If our 1-5 was with Mussina-types, it would be the best rotation top to bottom in MLB. Besides, it's only a 1 year deal, and he said (or Hendricks said) if he injures his elbow he won't exercise the option out of respect. Well I wouldn't say he was a great post-season pitcher here, but he should help us this season.
LOVE this move.. although it is alot of money it is only a 1 team deal... we would be forced to give Zito a 5-6 year deal for something like 18-19 million a year.. this is a much better investment
