Andy Pettitte back to Yankees for 2007

December 8th, 2006

New York, NY - Lefty Andy Pettitte and the Yankees have reached an agreement on a one-year deal that will pay him $16 million in 2007 with a player option for 2008.

Lefty Andy Pettitte and the Yankees have reached an agreement on a one-year deal that will pay him $16 million in 2007 with a player option for 2008.

His player option for 2008 is also at $16 million.

Pettitte decided Wednesday that he would pitch next season rather than retire, a move that set off negotiations with his hometown Houston Astros and the Yankees.

Pettitte pitched for the Yankees from 1995-2003, helping New York win four World Series and six AL pennants. He spent the last three seasons with the Astros, who reached the World Series for the first time in 2004.

Pettitte was 14-13 with a 4.20 ERA in 35 starts for the Astros last season. His decision to leave the Yankees in 2003 also caused New York teammate Roger Clemens to put off retirement and sign with the Astros.

In New York, Pettitte would join a rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson.

Pettitte helped the Yankees win four World Series titles, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged that players from that era hold a special appeal for the team's fans.

"There's no doubt there's a love affair for some of these players that will last for a lifetime, and you've seen that obviously when some of these guys return to our park in another uniform -- or guys that have been playing with us still," Cashman said.