Major League Baseball

Pettitte back with Yanks on 1-year, $11.75M deal

Published Dec. 10, 2009 7:26 p.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The Yankees are bringing back left-hander Andy Pettitte on a one-year contract worth $11.75 million.

News and notes

"I didn't want to regret not playing," Pettitte said on a conference call. "I wanted to get this decision made. It's nice to get it wrapped up."

The deal, first reported by SI.com, ensures that the Yankees will start next season with the same three starters that helped them win the World Series — CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Pettitte.

Right-handers Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain could join that trio in the Yankees' rotation, but the team continues to explore other possibilities, from a trade for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay to free agents, including right-hander John Lackey.

Pettitte, who turns 38 on June 15, went 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA in 32 starts during the regular season, then 4-0 with a 3.52 ERA in the postseason, winning the clinching game of all three Yankees' playoff series.

The year ended so well, it prompted Pettitte to wonder whether it was time to retire.

"There's no doubt it did," he said. "What else is there to do? Why even continue to play? Why would you go back? How could you finish any better?"

The move was the third of the winter meetings for the Yankees.

They reached a preliminary agreement to acquire center fielder Curtis Granderson from Detroit as part of a three-team, seven-deal sending right-hander Ian Kennedy to Arizona, and lefty reliever Phil Coke and outfield prospect Austin Jackson to Detroit.

New York also dealt reliever Brian Bruney to Washington for a player to be named — the first pick in Thursday's winter meeting draft.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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