Sentimentality Not Part of Cashman's Game

The Yankees are awaiting word on whether Andy Pettitte will be in pinstripes in 2009.   The sticking point has been about $6 million as Pettitte wants to be paid at his 2008 rate where he showed some decline and fragility. It's an interesting place for Brain Cashman to take a stance regarding money, more interesting in some ways than the Mike Cameron negotiations.  We're talking about a single season from a left-handed pitcher who has spent 11 of his 14 seasons as a fan favorite in New York. That doesn't matter to Cashman.  Not anymore.  Last season, Cashman continued his quest to mold the Yankees into the shape that he wanted them, despite the fact that he was faced with the Steinbrothers and no contract ahead of him.  He even aired his discontent with the roster publically, calling some of the players a bunch of "old farts."  Cashman wants to get younger and more athletic, a process that will involve waiting out the contracts of Damon and Matsui and validate the departure of Abreu and Giambi. It shouldn't be a surprise, then, that Cashman is taking such a hard line with Pettitte.  There is a lot to be desired about having Pettitte in the rotation even with the threat of decline.  He's left-handed, has pitched over 200 innings the last four years, and only wants one year.  You would think it would be easy for Cashman to eat the extra money, give Andy his pay, and move on. It makes you wonder where the Yankees budget is for 2009 and what they feel they still want to spend on.  There has been little serious talk about upgrading the offense.