Andy Pettitte declines option with Yankees

~ Brian Cashman says he needs his veteran starter back in New York.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season.

"I have spoken with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner said about the Yankees wanting to give Andy all the time he needs to decide about next season," Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday in an e-mail. "Accordingly, we are declining to exercise the option for 2008 and Andy will declare free agency in order to free up a roster spot for the Yankees.

"If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the Yankees within 24 hours. The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement. He appreciates the Yankees' willingness to give him the time he feels he needs. I do not expect him to make a decision for quite some time."

The 35-year-old left-hander went 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA for the Yankees this year, including 11-3 after the all-star break. He was their most effective starter in the postseason, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 2 of New York's first-round loss to Cleveland.

Pettitte had until Wednesday to decide on his option, part of the contract he agreed to last December when he returned to the Yankees after three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. That deal paid him a $16 million salary this year.

"Obviously, we want Andy to stay with the Yanks and pitch for us in '08. In fact, I'd say I need him to," said Cashman, the team's general manager. "He's an important piece for us. ... We're hopeful that at some point that the marriage of the Pettittes and the Yankees can continue."