http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/fron...Andy Pettitte, who contemplated retirement this winter, has told his good friends, a few former Astros teammates and some current Yankees teammates that he will return to the Bronx for the 2008 season.
Through people close to Pettitte, the Chronicle has learned that the veteran lefthander has told family members and teammates that he has decided to return to the Yankees in 2008.
That wait is over, and the Yankees have been informed of the decision by Pettitte’s agent, Randy Hendricks.
When reached by telephone this morning, Hendricks, who was in route to Nashville for the start of baseball’s winter meetings today, confirmed that he has advised the Yankees that Pettitte will play for them in 2008.
“Many teammates have called urging Andy to return as well as manager Joe Girardi,” Hendricks said. “It’s well known that the Yankees have publicly stated that they were ready for Andy when Andy was ready.”
this is great news! now i think it's even more imperative to go get Johan... that would give us 2 very tough lefties in our rotation, ideal situation to have for YS. We haven't had that since Boomer & Andy were pitching together in '98 & we all know how great that team was. I think it's fair to say Johan's a huge upgrade over Boomer Wells.
Now the Yanks have even more leverage. Don't budge for Johan.
Posted by VDesai:
Now the Yanks have even more leverage. Don't budge for Johan.
they already made their final offer... Hughes, Melky & a 2nd tier... if anything Andy coming back makes even more sense for Johan to be added to this staff
Johan L
Wang R
Andy L
Kennedy R
Moose R
Joba for the 7th & 8th
Mo in the 9th
that's hard to match for any team in baseball... or if the Yankees want, they can move Joba to the rotation & use Mussina as a longman... either way, that rotation is sick any way you slice it.
Joba will be in the rotation.
I'm really happy that Andy's coming back. It's a little concerning that he was considering retirement, though. Has he lost his drive and hunger for winning?
i think it was more a case of him losing his drive & hunger to hear the constant bitchings from his wife & kids when he goes away on his road trips.
He also has had issues with his elbow From a health standpoint its not easy for him to go out there anymore. He almost retired before joining the Yankees last year in part because of his elbow.
sounds like Andy's open to the idea to pitch beyond next season... he seems to like the idea of pitching at the new stadium
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spyanks1205,0,4514236.story?coll=ny-visit-searchutility
Pettitte, 35, didn't sound like a man who recently contemplated retirement when he talked to Houston television station KRIV Tuesday. He talked about the intrigue of perhaps playing in the new Yankee Stadium in 2009.
"One of the main things this was such a tough decision for me, one year could lead to another, maybe," Pettitte told KRIV. "For the main reason, if I'm healthy and if my family wanted to support it again, we would consider it, but also the Yankees are going to have a new stadium. I know down the road when we get through this season, that will be in the back of my head also. That would be awfully nice to play in that new stadium."
