Bronx, NY (My Sportsbook) - The New York Yankees exercised an $11.5 million option for 2003 on Andy Pettitte Thursday, three days after the southpaw filed conditionally for free agency. The Yankees, looking to cut payroll in the offseason, had until Friday to pick up the option or pay a $2 million buyout, which would have allowed Pettitte to explore other options. Pettitte signed a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year in January of 2000. He is eligible for free agency after the 2003 season. The 30-year-old compiled a 13-5 record and a 3.27 ERA last season, but was limited to just 22 starts because of elbow pain. He has spent his entire eight-year career with the Yankees, compiling a lifetime mark of 128-70 with a 3.93 earned run average and 1,095 strikeouts. Pettitte is the only pitcher in the post-expansion era (since 1961) to win at least 12 games in each of his first eight seasons in the major leagues. He ranks fourth among active pitchers with a .646 winning percentage, trailing only Boston's Pedro Martinez, Arizona's Randy Johnson and free agent Roger Clemens. |
