MLB Winter Meetings: Pettitte, Yankees Agree on 1 Year $11.75 Million Contract

MLB Winter Meetings - Signing:
Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees have agreed on a one year $11.75 million contract to bring him back for the 2010 MLB season. Pettitte, the 37 year old left hander, is coming off a year where he won 14 games while posting a 4.16 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. His 2010 return to the Yankees will be his 16th MLB season and 13th with the Yankees.

MLB Winter Meetings - Contract Analysis
The days of Andy Pettitte being a front of the line rotation pitcher are well behind him as he has not had an ERA under 4 since he was with the Houston Astros in 2006. While he is no longer a stud pitcher, Andy Pettitte has been a very consistent middle of the rotation guy that can be counted on to help steady the pitching staff. While last season's numbers are by no means spectacular, the Yankees were still willing to sign him for $11.75 million at the Winter Meetings for the following reasons.

First, the Yankees probably paid a little more money to Pettitte because the contract is only for one year. More than likely, if this had been a 2 year deal, the yearly salary would have been far less than the $11.75 million salary Pettitte received.

Second, Pettitte not only has a proven MLB track record of reliability, but he's already shown he can handle the pressure of pitching for the Yankees. There have been countless pitchers that have been given much bigger contracts only to turn into busts.

Third, Pettitte has also proven that he can handle pitching in the playoffs. In his 5 postseason starts last year for the Yankees, he posted a 3.52 ERA, won 4 games and lost none. These 5 starts were probably the biggest reason the Yankees resigned him during the Winter Meetings. It's also in Pettitte's favor that he is left handed.

MLB Winter Meetings - Prediction
This is a contract that makes sense for both Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees. Teams hate giving out long term contracts to pitchers because they get hurt more than other players. For Pettitte, he's contemplated retirement a couple of times already, so a one year deal for a higher salary is perfect for the 37 year old veteran pitcher.

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