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.”
2012 CHAMPS!!!
Maybe, maybe not. Let the season play out. I do remember the 2011 Red Sox/Phillies World Series classic last year.
Dbacks vs. Yanks WS again.
Valentine also said: “He coming back to start or pick people off?” haha
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.
Ahh, missed the bullet point where it actually mentions this. Do forgive me.
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.
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.
he was pushed into the astros, how?
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.
How did Bobby V survive managing in Japan? Isn’t that culture all about showing respect to your opponents and such?
is this a “reactions to the Bobby V’s comments”‘ thread?
we need now a “reactions to the reactions of the signing” thread…
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.
First Manny, now Andy. MLB 2012….the return of the ‘Roid people!
So does Pettitte get tested for PEDs, including a blood test since he is a “minor league” player?
Minor leaguers have been tested for PED’s a lot longer than mlb players…so yes.
Only the Yankees would offer 10-12M to a guy who hasn’t pitched in a year and will be 40 in June.
@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!
No HOF for Andy He’s an admitted user. As for this season twelve to fifteen wins era 4.00.
what would it take to get nova?
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.
Because Bobby V is foolish. His ego is going to be worse than Titos passiveness.
Yeah, but in this case he’s 100% right. This isn’t the steroid era. How much success do you expect for a 40 y/o power pitcher who hasn’t played in 1.5 years?
Come on, you really think he’s going to be 2010 Petitte? He’s almost certainly not going to be.
You didn’t think Bobby Valentine was going to act like a fool in front of the media?
I agree, especially when he tries to gloss it over with, “Always respected Andy, sure, he’s great, blah, blah, blah.”
Or a reporter asked his opinion on the matter…. (does anyone ever consider this?)
Or a reporter asked his opinion on the matter…. (does anyone ever consider this?)
Guillen would have thrown in 4 letter words and also.. He would have had to think of something to say. He’s not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer regardless.
Those in glass houses… Girardi is no MENSA member.
Those in glass houses… Girardi is no MENSA member.
Shouldn’t throw rocks…. Unless they have great aim and the door is open!
Please check Pineda’s second half record carefully. He did not get “blowed up”. He had 3 consecutive poor outings from July 9-24 after which he pitched about as well as he did in the first half. In fact, looking at peripherals such as Ks, BBs, GB and line drive rates, he actually improved in some areas.
He did tend to go fewer innings, generally around 6 although he did go 8 in his penultimate start, but he was generally effective. Some of his late July-September lines:
6.1 IP, 1H, 2R, 1ER, 4BBs, 10Ks
6 IP, 6H, 3R, 2ER, 0BBs, 5K
6 IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 8K
8IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 8K
Of his other 4 starts in that period, only one could be considered poor. That is not a picture of a pitcher who is being blown up.
Calling Andy Pettite a borderline hall of famer is only going to gin things up that much more — it’d be like me calling someone else’s date a borderline pretty-girl.
Note: He’s not signing a mlb deal. It’s a minor lge deal for $2.5 mil. I think the relatively small amount (compared to his previous deal) reflex the expectations that the Yanks and Pettite have for his level of impact for 2012. No one expects him to be the 2010 version of Pettite.
Also, Pettite didn’t have steroids to aid him in 2010, has never been a “power pitcher” in the Clemens/Pedro/Unit class and has been much more of a finesse pitcher who touched 92 mph at best but relied more on control and movement than overpowering anyone.
Other than those points above, nice post.