After becoming the first pitcher to start and win a clincher in every round of the postseason, Andy Pettitte deserved a raise. The Yankees delivered.
The 37-year-old left-hander signed a one-year, $11.75 million deal yesterday with the Bombers. The short-term deals are nothing new for Pettitte, who signed a $5.5 million contract last offseason that was loaded with incentives.
“Let’s do it another year,” Pettitte said.
The Yankees will return their top three starting pitchers from last season, a trio that combined for 46 wins and 99 starts.
Assuming the Yankees do not add any more starting pitchers via free agency or trade, their projected rotation will have the three veterans along with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Of course, one of those two could be included a potential deal for Toronto’s Roy Halladay.
The Halladay talks haven’t heated up just yet, but they could be similar to the Yankees’ involvement with Mark Teixeira last season. This means he’s not a top target but the situation will be monitored. Getting him could be more of a challenge considering outfield prospect Austin Jackson was dealt on Tuesday.
