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Left-hander brings veteran presence, postseason experience
NEW YORK -- Friday was Mike Mussina's 38th birthday, and the Yankees delivered
quite a gift to the veteran right-hander: Andy Pettitte.
Pettitte and the Yankees agreed on a one-year, $16 million deal on Friday, with
a player option for 2008. Mussina was excited when he learned that he would be
reunited with Pettitte, whom he pitched in the same rotation with from 2001 to
2003.
"I think it adds some balance, some security," Mussina said. "I think it's a
positive move. It's good for us -- I think he's going to help."
Since Pettitte left for Houston after the 2003 season, the Yankees have had
several pitchers in their rotation. None of them, from Kevin Brown to Javier
Vazquez to Randy Johnson, has had the kind of postseason success that Pettitte
had during his nine-year run in New York.
"It's just different playing in New York," Mussina said. "He was brought up
through the organization, so for the longest time, it was the only thing he
knew. He had success pitching in New York on championship teams, and you can't
substitute that kind of stuff. There are a lot of good pitchers out there, but
to have him come back, it should help our ballclub."
Outfielder Johnny Damon joined the Yankees after Pettitte had already left, but
count him among the Bronx Bombers excited to see the southpaw on his side.
"Not just because we know what Andy can do, but with his playoff experience and
New York experience, he has all the intangibles that make this a smart signing,
" Damon said.
"He has four championships and has been to even more World Series. Whatever
team he goes to will have an edge in the playoffs."
Scott Proctor, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the starting
rotation in 2007, was thrilled to learn that he would be playing with the
two-time 20-game winner.
"He'll be a great addition to the team," Proctor said. "The guy knows how to
win, and he's proven that he can pitch in the spotlight. He'll be a solid
asset going down the stretch. I hope to learn a lot from him, that's for sure."
Pettitte's arrival gives the Yankees five starters, as he joins Mussina,
Johnson, Chien-Ming Wang and Carl Pavano in the rotation. Japanese left-hander
Kei Igawa is also expected to sign, which would send the Yankees to camp with
six starters.
The signing of Pettitte likely means that Proctor will remain in his setup role
, which works just fine for him.
"I don't have any feelings either way. I'm coming into camp like I do every
year -- fighting for a job," he said. "If that's in the bullpen, it's in the
bullpen. If they want me to start, I'll start. My goal is to pitch in New York
and win a championship."
The Yankees opted to sign Pettitte to a short-term contract rather than ink Ted
Lilly or Gil Meche to four- or five-year deals. As far as Aaron Guiel is
concerned, his team made the right move.
"You get a proven performer," Guiel said. "I've watched guys like Lilly and
Meche have good games, but they don't have a track record like Pettitte does. I
think Andy is a better signing than any pitcher out there, other than maybe
Barry Zito."
Pettitte's signing may directly affect Guiel, assuming that the Yankees bring
him back next season. Guiel, of course, wore No. 46 during his stay in
pinstripes, but he's more than willing to give it back to the man who wore it
from 1995 to 2003.
"I thought about that," Guiel said. "I won't complain. I'll just look at the
list of other available numbers."
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