Mark Feinsand reported yesterday that Nolan Ryan has reached out to Andy Pettitte to try to convince the lefty to pitch for Texas next year. But Rangers officials have since denied that they’ve contacted Pettitte and said that the only contact between the two came when Pettitte called Ryan to congratulate him after the ALCS.
Ryan, of course, may find himself looking to fill a spot in his rotation, but Pettitte has said that if he returns next season — reports say most observers believe he will — it’ll be with the Yankees. (For what it’s worth, Pettitte’s home in Deer Park, Texas, is roughly 275 miles away from Arlington.) Still, if Pettitte does receive an offer from Texas, he’d at least be able to use it as leverage in negotiations with the Yankees. Or, at least, as much leverage as one can have when they’ve repeatedly said they want to retire a Yankee.
Andy Pettitte a Ranger? Texas president Nolan Ryan makes stealthy pitch to Yankees pitcher [NYDN]
Rangers refute report on contacting Pettitte [yankees.com]