» Finally... Yanks Sign Pettitte Yankees Blog

January 27, 2009

I knew it would happen sooner or later, even when it wasn’t looking probable. The Yankees finally signed Andy Pettitte to a 1 year, $5.5 million contract, which is laced with incentives that could push the final number to $12 million.

“There was no other team ever brought into the equation,” Pettitte said. “My mind never changed. I wanted to come back to the Yankees, and in my mind, I was going to be back.”

“Andy said every step of the way that he wanted to be a Yankee,” Cashman said. “I remember him telling me at one point in this process, ‘Cash, if you guys want me back, we will find a way to get this thing done.’ He honored that.”

“I guess it does take a shot at your pride a little bit,” Pettitte said. “But when you put all that aside, I wanted to play for the New York Yankees. That was the bottom line. I wanted to be there and play in that new stadium.”

The Yankees will now go into the 2009 season with arguably the best starting pitching staff in baseball. Pettitte will most likely be the #4 starter when the rotation is announced. Most say that Burnett will be a #2 man, with Wang the #3…. but I think that Wang is a much better pitcher than Burnett and should ultimately be the #2.

With the addition of Andy Pettitte, it now leaves questions as ot where Phil Hughes will wind up in all this. Most likely he will start the season in the minors, because I can’t see them using him as a bullpen option. If it were me, I would have Hughes #5, and send Joba back to the bullpen.

My Projected Rotation
1- Sabathia
2- Wang
3- Burnett
4- Pettite
5- Chamberlain