With Pettitte on board, could the Rocket be far behind?
If the current crew can't seem to get it done, then bringing back a major part of their successful past can only show them the way. And if that part can talk another one into signing on, the family reunion may result in a ticket tape parade.
With Andy Pettitte signing a one-year contract with the Yankees (with another year as a player option), the team's starting rotation just took one large step up. Even though he may not have been as effective as he may have been in his first Yankee tenure, Pettitte brings a lot more to the table than just stats. He is comfortable in this setting, and can excel in it. A big money pitcher that can get a post-season win after his team lost is not common in this day and age. That's what Andy Pettitte is. And what the Bronx Bombers have been lacking.
There is another pitcher that fits that bill, who has been away just as long. And if Roger Clemens decides to come back again, would he be willing to stand by his buddy Pettitte for another run at a ring? The Rocket un-retired after leaving the Yankees to sign with the Houston Astros after Pettitte inked a free-agent deal with them. Both seemed to be content in their hometown, but Pettitte had a bad departure from Houston. He felt that the Astros didn't give him the respect that he deserved, and signed with his former team. It didn't hurt that the Yankees were offering more money, either.
Clemens's decision hinges on many different things. First off-does he come back for another season? If he decides to pitch again, should he show the Astros some favoritism for the way they have treated him? By having certain stipulations written in his contract, he was allowed to stay home during certain road trips when he wasn't scheduled to pitch. That may be something only the Astros would include in any negotiations. There is also some talk that Clemens may want to ride into the sunset wearing the uniform he started out with. A final go-round with the Boston Red Sox may sound appealing to Clemens.
And when it comes to the Yankees, Clemens was a great fit here and was a presence on the hill. Would he want to show true loyalty to Pettitte by standing by him once again, in being teammates and what Pettitte perceived as lesser treatment by Houston?
If this does happen, the Yankees will have that veteran team that is strong on offense, starting pitching and closer. Not a bad way to go into spring training.