Pettitte, Abreu not offered arbitration

Dec 2, 2008 - 1:31 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees have decided not to offer arbitration to any of their free agents, including lefthander Andy Pettitte and right fielder Bobby Abreu, according to a report on the team's web site.

Pettitte and Abreu are both Type A free agents, meaning the Yankees would have received a first round and a supplemental round pick for each if they had declined arbitration and signed with another team.

By not offering arbitration, New York will not receive any compensation should the two players decide to leave the Bronx.

However, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman indicated that he would like to see both players return.

"Bobby was a Type A and Andy was a Type A, so the determination that we made today was to make sure that we control what amount we'd be spending, at least in the event that we're fortunate enough to bring those players back," Cashman said.

Pettitte, who made $16 million last season, has indicated that he would like to return, though New York would probably want him to accept a pay cut. The 36-year-old went 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA in 33 starts in 2008.

Abreu, 34, hit .296 with 20 homers, 100 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 2008 and is seeking a three-year deal on the open market.

"By offering arbitration, we would lose our ability to at least determine a final cost," Cashman said. "By doing (this), we chose to go a different direction, not offer the arbitration, and we'll still stay engaged with the entire free-agent market, including those two players."

The Yankees also decided not to offer arbitration to righthander Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano and Sidney Ponson, and catchers Ivan Rodriguez - a Type B free agent - and Chad Moeller.