The New York Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte to a $2.5 million minor-league deal. Please, hold your Suzyn Waldman "in George's box" references until the very end.
From Jack Curry of YES:
The Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte to a 1-year minor league deal worth $2.5 million. The team is thrilled to have 240-game winner back.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) March 16, 2012
Pettitte last pitched in 2010, when he was effective when healthy for the Yankees, throwing 129 innings with a 3.28 ERA, his lowest since his 2005 season with the Houston Astros. He'll be 40 in June.
The question, then, has to be where in the heck do the Yankees put him? They traded away A.J. Burnett because they didn't need the extra arm in the rotation, and they still have Freddy Garcia on retainer in case something happens. But if Pettitte impresses, he'll give the Yankees even more depth, even if according to Jon Heyman, he isn't expected to make the rotation to start the season.
This was not the news you were expecting when you poured out your bowl of Corn Pops this morning. Andy Pettitte is back on the Yankees. Huh.
Also, Pedro Martinez is available. Your move, Boston.