Source: Pettitte to Yankees with one-year, $16M deal

The Dynasty · 12-08-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Many thought Andy Pettitte should have never left New York. It looks like that issue has been rectified.

The left-hander and the Yankees have reached an agreement on a one-year deal that will pay him $16 million in 2007 with a player option for 2008, sources close to the negotiations told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Friday.

The player option for 2008 is also at $16 million. Pettitte must pass a physical for the agreement to be finalized.

Pettitte decided Wednesday that he would pitch next season rather than retire, a move that set off negotiations with his hometown Houston Astros and the Yankees.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that Pettitte would have taken $14 million to stay with the Astros, who did not move from their $12 million offer for 2007.

Pettitte pitched for the Yankees from 1995-2003, helping New York win four World Series and six AL pennants. He spent the last three seasons with the Astros, who reached the World Series for the first time in 2004.

Pettitte was 14-13 with a 4.20 ERA in 35 starts for the Astros last season. His decision to leave the Yankees in 2003 also caused New York teammate Roger Clemens to put off retirement and sign with the Astros.

In New York, Pettitte would join a rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson.

Pettitte helped the Yankees win four World Series titles, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged that players from that era hold a special appeal for the team's fans.

"There's no doubt there's a love affair for some of these players that will last for a lifetime, and you've seen that obviously when some of these guys return to our park in another uniform -- or guys that have been playing with us still," Cashman said.

Great pick up for the Yanks.

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 12-08-2006, 08:12 PM

Great sign for the Yanks, I knew he chopped it down to either the Astros or the Yanks, but with the Yanks talent, i kind of expected him to go there, they needed a good pitcher, and well now they got him...as long as he can stay healthy and have a good year...

The Wonder Chimp · 12-08-2006, 09:57 PM

Great sign, and another overpaid player to add to the list of 100+. They need him, and he might be the ONLY reason Clemens would sign with them this year. Could be huge for them if CLemens comes back, otherwise, a good picther, not much else.

JP · 12-08-2006, 10:14 PM

This is a huge sign and should boost there starting pitching up huge. He can be a solid pitcher right behind Wang and Mussina which will let some pressure off both men. He might be getting over payed but he deserves money but not that much.

It's a huge loss for the Houston Astros. I mean they were leaning on him to be there number 2 and now that he's gone it's only roy oswalt which will put the Astros in a corner that no team likes to be in. I don't see them doing well this season.

It's a win for the Yankees and a loss for the Astros.

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 12-08-2006, 11:28 PM

Pettitte hasn't had the greatest years as of late, being injuried a lot and then also having bad beginnings, so 16 million is a bit of a risk for me, don't get me wrong as I said this should really boost their starting rotation, but if he gets hurt they are out 16 million dollars...

Source: Pettitte to Yankees with one-year, $16M deal

This is a discussion on Source: Pettitte to Yankees with one-year, $16M deal within the North American Sports forums, part of the Sports Forums category; Many thought Andy Pettitte should have never left New York. It looks like that issue has been rectified. The left-hander ...