"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Didn’t See That Coming

According to Jack Curry, Andy Pettitte has signed a 1-year, $2.5 million minor league deal with the Yanks. Was retirement that boring? Is Freddy Garcia that hurt? Maybe Andy’s wife couldn’t stand having him around the house.

Go figure.

Categories:  1: Featured  Spring Training  Yankees

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38 comments

1 RagingTartabull   ~  Mar 16, 2012 11:51 am

man, I miss George on a day like this

2 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 11:54 am

lol

3 monkeypants   ~  Mar 16, 2012 11:54 am

I like Andy and all, but I just don't see how this makes much sense, even if Garcia is that hurt. Moreover, they scrimped and saved to sign a trash heap DH after trading away a stud prospect DH/C (for pitching), only to discover $2.5 million to sign more pitching.

It will be nice seeing Hughes in the BP for another season.

Whatever.

4 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:02 pm

As Joe Sheehan just tweeted: "If Andy Pettitte pitches for the Yankees, a whole hell of a lot of people better be hurt."

5 monkeypants   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:05 pm

[4] Right. But if that's the case, why waste the 2.5 million on some sort of last ditch insurance policy, especially when there is (so we hear) all of this pitching depth also in the minors.

I just don't get it.

6 bp1   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:13 pm

Ok - youse guys. This is Andy. I'm kinda wetting myself here. Another year of Andy and Mo? Sign me up. He had gas left in the tank when he walked away and I wasn't ready to see him go.

Whoo hoo!!

Sliced Bread has to have my back on this one.

7 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:20 pm

Yeah, the sentiment is nice. But what does it say that they want a guy back who hasn't pitched in a full year? Is Freddy seriously hurt? Do they really not believe in Hughes THIS much? I like Andy but sentiment doesn't win games.

8 Jon DeRosa   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:22 pm

Yes, if Andy Pettitte, Yankee legend and fan favorite, pitches for the Yankees in 2012, it better be over the cold dead husks of Clay Rapada, Manny Delcarmen, DJ Mitchell, Adam Warren, and David Phelps.

Those guys have earned, through their presence on the roster prior to today, the right to be the first called up in case of any injury or managerial whimsy. Why on earth would any self respecting Yankee fan ratcher watch Andy Pettitte when they could have Clay Rapada?

I cannot fathom running a business like this. Clay fucking Rapada. You were robbed, sir, robbed.

9 The Hawk   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:27 pm

Y'know I actually DID kind of see this coming. Something about an interview he did last week or thereabouts, it sounded an awful lot like he wanted to come back.

10 bp1   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:27 pm

[7] AB - Andy put up a 3.28 his last year. He left too early. This isn't Jordan coming back with the Wizards with a broken body. I believe he can contribute, and I believe the Yankees feel he can contribute. The Yankees don't do sentiment very well anymore - just ask Jorge. This is a good day.

11 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:29 pm

10) Yeah, but if I'm Ibanez, I'm nervous. He falters and Jorge could get the call.

12 bp1   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:35 pm

You guys are killin' me, lol. This is Andy freakin Pettitte! Nobody wanted him to retire, and now he's coming back!! This is time to celebrate. It's a small one year deal. It is worth the risk. He's not on the 25-man roster yet, so give him a chance.

Y'all have heard Brian Cashman talk. He does NOT do sentimentality.

Very happy he's back.

13 Bronx Boy in NC   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:46 pm

It must be nice to have a conversation like this:

"I know I told you I couldn't do this anymore."

We know.

"There's no guarantee I can still do it well after the time off."

True.

"But if you don't mind, I think I'll give it a try."

Here's $2,500,000.

14 bp1   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:53 pm

[13] I think it went more like this:

"I know I told you I didn't want to do this anymore"

I know

"I've kept in shape and I feel really good."

You look really good. Wanna give it another shot?

"Sure. What are you thinking."

You gotta show us you still can do it. Minor league non guaranteed contract. If you're still Andy then we'll figure it out

"Deal."

15 YankeeAbby   ~  Mar 16, 2012 12:58 pm

HOLY SCHNIKEYS!!!

16 Jon DeRosa   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:00 pm

[12] we're not all party poopers [8].

17 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:03 pm

14) It's not like I wouldn't root for the guy. But celebrating a retired player coming back isn't thrilling to me, either. It's a curious move and maybe it works out and if it does, that will be fun. If it doesn't it will be sad and pathetic. I hope it works out. But the news doesn't make me want to celebrate. I do understand why you feel that way though and can appreciate that, for sure.

18 kenboyer made me cry   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:04 pm

That's one expensive bp pitcher. Maybe he needs the money and the Yankees are doing him a solid. Maybe his kids said to stop coaching their baseball games from the stands and go home. Maybe he misses "the guys". Maybe he'll donate the salary to Cashman's attorney fees. Maybe he can still pitch and eat up innings...

19 Bronx Boy in NC   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:09 pm

[14] Of course it went more like that. I was just highlighting the world in which "eh, let's give it a shot" = $2.5M.

In my line of work, it would get me maybe free lunch at the meeting!

20 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:14 pm

From Chad Jennings:
"Cashman just spoke on YES Network and told the story of Pettitte’s signing. Turns out, the Yankees offered Pettitte a substantial deal in December but Pettitte turned it down because he wasn’t sure he wanted to come back. Pettitte started working out to get in shape, but when the Yankees made their moves for Pineda and Kuroda, Cashman told Pettitte he no longer had the money to make the signing. Pettitte shut it down briefly, then resumed throwing and approached Cashman during that brief stint as a guest instructor late last month. Earlier this week, Pettitte sneaked into camp for an early morning bullpen in front of Cashman, Joe Girardi and Larry Rothschild. Cashman confirmed that Pettitte will have to go through his own sort of spring training and pitch in some minor league games before he’s ready to join the big league rotation."

21 bp1   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:16 pm

[19] Well yeah - but it's all monopoly money anyway. How much are they paying AJ Burnett this year to pitch for someone else? The money is just silly. Andy's deal could pay for my kids college, pay off my mortgage, take care of my mother and mother-in-law, and - well - do all sorts of other things to change my life. I try not to think about the money or it gets a little weird.

22 Jon DeRosa   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:25 pm

[17] Don't agree on the sad and pathetic part. It it works out, great, and if it doesn't no blood no foul. What makes failure sad and pathetic?

23 kenboyer made me cry   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:26 pm

[21] Just being a major leaguer making the minimum $480K is a dream to 99.999999999%. Imagine that lifestyle as an adult? Only your family life is compromised. I'm willing to bet that the majority of MLB players would do it for the minimum just to be there. The high salaries are a product of the teams competition to win at all costs, fill the seats, get the TV ratings to charge the rates on the local cable stations. With the insane money being made, the players deserve their share, but I believe the product on the field would be the same if it was all dialed back a notch. Not going to happen, and we're all welcome to pay $500 for a good seat at YS.

24 joejoejoe   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:40 pm

It's not like Andy Pettitte has had more time away from the game than Garcia or Hughes due have had in the past due to injuries. He had a .786 winning percentage and a 132 ERA+ in 20+ starts the last time he pitched! I say give Pettitte Tim Wakefield's old deal with a renewable player option and let him pitch as long as he wants.

25 rbj   ~  Mar 16, 2012 1:42 pm

I'm gobsmacked. I could see Andy wanting to do it, to get in a few more Ws for the HoF. Not so sure why the Yankees would do it, except as an extra spare Doomsday Prepper hoarding of yet another arm in case someone goes down. Does kinda suck for all the young guys hoping to get a shot, but I'd love to see those ole gunslinger eyes again.

240 Ws + postseason, on the bubble for the Hall. Make it an even 250, and he's in.

26 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:00 pm

17) Good point. You're right.

27 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:06 pm

It's all about depth writes DS over at ESPN: http://es.pn/zm5tCB

28 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:17 pm

OMG!

HOLY FUCK, FOR REAL????

I'M SORRY TO SHOUT BUT FUCKING HELL!!!

My whole body just got all tingly.

29 bp1   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:24 pm

[28] Heh heh heh ... now that's what I'm talking about. A virtual High Five, Weeping. Whoo hoo!

30 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:26 pm

[29] I'm just ecstatic over this and I don't give a rat's ass about being sober and measured, I love this man.

31 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:49 pm

Man, if only all drug cheats were embraced with such love.

LOL.

In other news, Yanks sign Joe Pepitone to a minor league deal for $6.34.

32 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 2:51 pm

More reaction: http://bit.ly/xvYAL7

33 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Mar 16, 2012 3:08 pm

[31] Omg! Do we have fight, Alex? Are you looking for a punch in the nose?
hahahahaah

And yet, provoke me though you may, my enthusiasm is undiminished. So there!

34 Alex Belth   ~  Mar 16, 2012 3:10 pm

33) I couldn't resist, but I kid, I kid, don't get knuts now. LOL

35 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Mar 16, 2012 5:12 pm

[34] :))
All right then, glad we understand each other.

36 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Mar 16, 2012 6:18 pm

[35] I'm with you and bp1, weeping! Hooray!! Much rather see that then signing some toast like say..Raul Ibanez.

[31] Well done there, chief. I read that as Joe Paterno for some reason...now THAT would generate some commentary!

37 thelarmis   ~  Mar 16, 2012 7:45 pm

i'm sure this thread is dead... i've been in the studio all day...

my brother called me early this afternoon. didn't tell me exactly what went down. i figured it immediately! i wasn't surprised in the slightest. i'm also friggin' ECSTATIC!!! i'm super psyched Andrew Eugene Pettitte is back in pinstripes...where he belongs! : )

[36] hey you - leave my beloved alma mater outta this!!! ; )

38 Dillon   ~  Mar 16, 2012 8:33 pm

Goodness gracious.

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