According to the New York Daily News, the Yankees aren’t expecting a quick decision from the lefty on whether he will return to baseball — and New York — or whether he’ll hang up his hat for good.
The Yankees have reportedly shown interest in bringing Pettitte back with a one-year deal, but after winning his fifth world championship in 16 seasons, Pettitte may decide the time is right for retirement.
“I’m sure he’ll take his normal amount of time [to make a decision],” Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the Daily News. “I don’t ever ask guys right away. I think you need time to get away, to talk to your family. I think you need a good month, then you can make your decision.”
Girardi indicated that he plans to speak to Pettitte’s agent — as well as the agents of free agents Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui — before he begins pursuing other free agents.
“I’m trying to be very respectful to our players first, make sure they’re aware of where we are in the process,” he said.
One possible delay in future plans is the fact that general manager Brian Cashman has yet to finalize New York’s 2010 budget.
“We haven’t game-planned yet,” Cashman told the Daily News. “We’re going through everything that transpired in the meetings. Once I get some firm numbers, I can go ahead and start putting together some ideas.”
Regardless of what the budget looks like, one thing is for sure: New York wants Pettitte back.
“I thought Andy was real important to our success,” Girardi said. “Any time you lose a starting pitcher that gives you 200 innings, that’s a hole. Two hundred good innings.”
