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Reactions To The Andy Pettitte Signing

By Mike Axisa | March 16, 2012 at 7:57pm CDT

Most of us thought the Yankees were done improving their rotation after acquiring Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda, but they added one more veteran piece on Friday. Andy Pettitte decided to come out of retirement and return his old team, signing a one-year, minor league deal worth $2.5MM with no incentives. He won't be ready for Opening Day, but will get back into shape early in the season before rejoining the team. Here's a bunch of news and reactions to the signing, with most links going to Twitter…

  • "I am embarrassed to be coming back, but what can I do? My desire has changed," said Pettitte to reporters (including Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News and Joel Sherman of The New York Post) in a conference call this afternoon. "It was the Yankees or nothing," he added.
  • Dialogue between Pettitte and GM Brian Cashman started back in December according to Jack Curry of The YES Network. The team originally offered a one-year deal worth $10-12MM, but the left-hander wanted to work out for six weeks to see how he felt.
  • The two sides spoke sporadically over the last year according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Yankees checked in with Pettitte before signing Kuroda in mid-January, but at that point he wasn't sure if he would return.
  • The Yankees had maxed out their budget by the time Pettitte said he wanted to pitch, so owner Hal Steinbrenner had to authorize the signing according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
  • The two sides explored a number of different financial packages, including a personal services contract that would not have counted against the luxury tax according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • ESPN's Buster Olney says the Yankees could have signed Mike Gonzalez two weeks ago, but turned it down because of that budget. Pettitte's history with the team worked in his favor.
  • The Yankees are very open to trading their excess starting pitching, reports Olney. In addition to Pettitte, they have CC Sabathia, Pineda, Kuroda, Freddy Garcia, Phil Hughes, and Ivan Nova penciled into the rotation.
  • Sherman wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees shopped Garcia if they feel Pettitte could help this season. Garcia could be an affordable alternative for clubs looking at Joe Blanton or John Lannan.
  • “I don’t think he’s coming back to where he was, call it a hunch," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine to reporters (including Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald). "But he’s a good pitcher. Always respected Andy. Always thought he was a borderline Hall of Famer. Add someone like that to your staff, you’re doing good.”
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34 Comments

  1. Daniel Vega

    13 years ago

    2012 CHAMPS!!!
     

    Reply
    • MB923

      13 years ago

      Maybe, maybe not. Let the season play out. I do remember the 2011 Red Sox/Phillies World Series classic last year.

      Reply
      • mmiller54

        13 years ago

        Dbacks vs. Yanks WS again.

        Reply
  2. wickedkevin

    13 years ago

    Valentine also said:  “He coming back to start or pick people off?”  haha

    Reply
  3. MB923

    13 years ago

    I assume if Pettitte did take a $10-$12 million dear, Yankees wouldn’t have signed Kuroda. But I’ll gladly take the both of them for $12.5 million for sure.

    Reply
    • MB923

      13 years ago

      Ahh, missed the bullet point where it actually mentions this. Do forgive me.

      Reply
  4. Slopeboy

    13 years ago

    I was really disappointed when Pettitte retired last year, as I thought he could have helped the Yanks one last time. I actually felt he left the team in a lurch, but bought into his stated importance of seeing his kids play and finally spending time with the family. Now all that isn’t all that important anymore, and now I’m disappointed that he’s returned.
    I love Andy Pettitte, and all he’s done for the organization. I felt bad when he was pushed into the arms of the Astros and thrilled when he returned and won, but now I’m disappointed he’s back! While you can never have enough pitching, this time around, he’s not really needed. He’s the Doughnut with the spare tire in the trunk of the car. More than likely, he’s going to take a roster spot from someone more deserving ie: one of the up and coming pitchers or Garcia, who pitched like the pro he is.
    As I said: I love Andy Pettitte, and I hope he does help and win for the Yanks, but he should have been true to his word and stayed home with family.

    Reply
    • LazerTown

      13 years ago

      somewhat agreed, i think at this point in his career he is better suited as a advisor or coach for the team.  He may be able to provide a decent support, but his upgrade over the replacements the yankees have is really not that significant.

      Reply
    • sergio

      13 years ago

       he was pushed into the astros, how?

      Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      13 years ago

      He was honest with the team. He said, that as for 2011, his heart wasn’t in it. I respect him more for admitting the fire wasn’t there and NOT taking the paycheck knowing he wasn’t going to be giving it his all. Not many 38 yo’s do that.

      Reply
  5. asdf asdf

    13 years ago

    How did Bobby V survive managing in Japan?  Isn’t that culture all about showing respect to your opponents and such?

    Reply
  6. sergio

    13 years ago

    is this a “reactions to the Bobby V’s comments”‘ thread?

    we need now a “reactions to the reactions of the signing” thread…

    Reply
  7. Kevin McCaul

    13 years ago

    More rotation depth is always a good thing. I just hope the Yankees see it as such, rather than actually planning to depend on Pettitte and selling off their other assets. I probably would slot Pettitte as a seventh pitcher type behind Hughes and Garcia.

    Reply
  8. Allison

    13 years ago

    First Manny, now Andy. MLB 2012….the return of the ‘Roid people!

    Reply
  9. John W

    13 years ago

    So does Pettitte get tested for PEDs, including a blood test since he is a “minor league” player?

    Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      13 years ago

      Minor leaguers have been tested for PED’s a lot longer than mlb players…so yes.

      Reply
  10. Financial Uproar

    13 years ago

    Only the Yankees would offer 10-12M to a guy who hasn’t pitched in a year and will be 40 in June.

    Reply
    • sullylv

      13 years ago

      @financialuproar.Isn’t it nice in this day and age that you can write something that is totally wrong!Pettitte signed a 2.5 million minor league contract.You sound like a typical Yankee hater! 

      Reply
  11. nsbombers

    13 years ago

    No HOF for Andy He’s an admitted user. As for this season twelve to fifteen wins era 4.00.

    Reply
  12. Garret Strachota

    13 years ago

    what would it take to get nova?

    Reply
  13. Edmund Jones

    13 years ago

    Andy wont even be brought up until a major injury occurs or someone is just not performing. I also believe he was brought back to help the younger guys on the staff. I`ll take his experience in September anytime. Oh yeah he has quite a bit in October too.

    Reply

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