Ken Davidoff has some more news on the Yankees and Andy Pettitte (or rather, just some framing of yesterdays news in a different light):

Pettitte wants to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium, in pinstripes, in 2009. But the Yankees aren't sure if they want him back.

For the Yankees to even consider bringing back Pettitte, a person familiar with the situation said, the 36-year-old left-hander would have to agree to a one-year deal at a pay cut from the $16 million he earned each of the past two seasons.

The reason the Yankees, of all people, are being cost conscious is, as Davidoff poins out, that they are heavily involved in landing one of either CC Sabathia (who Davidoff alleges to have a West Coast preference; damn west coast), AJ Burnett, and Derek Lowe.

Remember, the last time Andy Pettitte was told by his former team that he would have to settle for a one year deal instead of a two year deal, he bolted.  Given the Yankees interest in the big names out in play, I beginning to think that it will be retirement or 'Stros for Monsieur Pettitte.

So the Astros might just want to gut their roster and save some dough, per this Ken Rosenthal report:

 

The Cubs have emerged as a front-runner in the Peavy sweepstakes, perhaps even ahead of the Braves, according to major-league sources.

The club also is willing to give Dempster a four-year contract, sources say, a decision that should put them in good position to retain the free-agent right-hander.

 

That would be: Peavy, Zambrano, Harden, Dempster, Lilly.  Each of those guys could be the ace of a staff (admittedly, that's somewhat of a stretch) and none are worse than number two starters.  If that were to happen and they don't win the World Series, I'd start believing in the curse.  Ok, maybe an overstatement because Zambrano and Harden are prime injury risks and Peavy did mistime with an elbow injury last year -- not good for a guy who needs his slider -- but I think you all get the point.