WHY PETTITTE WILL RETURN

Things are about to happen. It's been long enough. That's what I visualize being said behind closed doors today in the Yankee Stadium offices. The New York Yankees, the greatest franchise in baseball history, have tried to be as patient as they could, waiting for Mr. Andy Pettitte. They want him to take his time and make a decision. They tried to sit back, they tried the "patience" approach. But after losing out on Cliff Lee and trying not to look foolish in it's aftermath, their "Ball in Pettitte's court" approach has reached it's deadline. So what's happening? Now it's time. The Yankee P.R. machine is up and running and according to Yankee Brass, $13 million is an offer they would be willing to give Mr. Pettitte to come back for his 17th and final season.

Look, this isn't a matter of want. It's a matter of need and when you play the scenarios in your head of who can replace Andy, or what type of setup or relief we can sign, at the end of the day, it's how to entice Andy to play 1 more year. He is the most logical scenario for any Yankee fan and the New York Yankees themselves. We will hopefully now see movement. We will hopefully now see negotiation. We will hopefully see Andy Pettitte in pinstripes one more time.

Now, it's very likely we could even see the $13 million number rise. Maybe it's even going to be $15 million. It's really not unreasonable at this point because Andy has them by the balls. He could ask for $16 million and even that would be acceptable. Bronx Baseball Daily, one of my favorite Yankees sites has the same opinion as I do on the numbers. It just makes sense. My suggestion to you guys? Stay close to Bleeding Yankee Blue, to your blackberry and to the YES Network. Shit's about to go down. Hopefully for the better. Come on Andy.... come home to Papa.

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