WHY IT'S A SAD DAY IN YANKEELAND

Tomorrow, Andy Pettitte, one of the greatest New York Yankee Pitchers of all time will call it quits after 16 years in baseball. It's not sad today because the Yankees need to scramble to a rotation filler, No, instead, It's a sad day because Andy Pettitte will be deeply missed by all of his fans. Even if you aren't a Yankee fan, you can appreciate Andy's dominance in the post-season, his ability to pitch in any do or die situation and his love for his team and teammates. I have always called him Ol' Reliable, and he is.

Andy Pettitte won five World Championships with the Yanks. He will retire with 240 wins, 2251 strikeouts and a 3.88 ERA. But it was the post season that I loved Andy most. 19 wins and a 3.83 ERA in the playoffs. Pettitte is the all-time winningest pitcher in postseason history. You have to love that. You have to respect that, Yankee fan or not. That's just awesome.

So now, the Core Three will power on without Andy and there will be emptiness I am sure, but the reality is there are still battles to be won, with or without Andy Pettitte. They know that and they will reflect the next few days and then get into the zone as they start their 2011 season looking for their 28th title.

Sport Illustrated's Jon Heyman, who clearly has a grasp on everything, tweeted about Kevin Millwood last night and the Yankees continued interest in him. Heyman obviously was aware Pettitte was retiring. You got to respect that guy, Heyman really does always get it right.

According to Buster Olney, Kevin Millwood is looking for a deal worth $4-5 million. Many believe that that much money for a 4-16 record and a 5.10 ERA is ridiculous. I do not. Here's why... He was on the Orioles. Yes, being a good pitcher will get you wins, but if your team can't score, you lose. The Orioles were a terrible team before Showalter showed up and by the time they were winning, Millwood was probably exhausted. The positive thing about Millwood is he is an innings eater. Couple that with durability and I say GO FOR IT.

The Bleacher report wrote this: "The Yankees would probably prefer to give Millwood a minor league deal with incentives based on starts. At this point, it seems unlikely that Millwood would take that kind of an offer, but if the incentives were enticing enough, he might consider it."

While I agree with the theory of a minor league deal, I wonder if it's going to happen. Would Millwood go for it? Would his ego allow it? I can't imagine the Yankees convincing a veteran like that to accept it.

No, I say look for the Yankees to make a deal with Millwood for about $5 million between now and the Super Bowl and look for Millwood to be put in the rotation for the beginning of the season. Look, the Yankees may not act like they're freaked out, but they are. They want to win, and the need to tools to do it. Without Andy, nothing's a sure thing.

So for the rest of today, give Andy a salute. Watch his press conference tomorrow at 10:30am, Reflect, wave goodbye and wish good luck. Andy put his time in, he succeeded at ever turn. He deserves a huge sendoff. Thank you Andy, Thank you for taking pride in your work and wearing the pinstripes.

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