 12/11/2003 3:15 PM ET
Family affair: Pettitte joins Astros
Left-hander rejects higher bid from Yankees
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By Alyson Footer / MLB.com |
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| Andy Pettitte's presence in the rotation should help the development of the Astros' young hurlers. (David J. Phillip/AP)
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HOUSTON -- For those looking at the on-going Andy Pettitte saga from the
outside, it appeared highly unlikely that the Houston Astros would be able to
lure Pettitte away from the New York Yankees. After all, the Astros were no match for George Steinbrenner and the Yankees'
deep pockets. Whatever offer any other team made, the Yankees would have the means to top it.
But this time, money wasn't the primary factor. And because of that, the Astros were able to introduce Pettitte as the newest Houston Astro at a press conference Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
Sure, Pettitte will be paid. Handsomely, in fact. He'll make $31.5 million over the next three years -- $5.5 million in 2004, $8.5 million in 2005, and the remaining $17.5 million in 2006. But he could have gotten more -- much more -- from the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox. Various reports have said the Red Sox offered Pettitte a four-year deal worth $54 million.
Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, fielded offers only from the Yankees and Astros, and although the Yankees' proposal was monetarily more enticing, the Astros' struck a cord emotionally. Playing for the Astros meant playing at home.
Pettitte's family accompanied him to the press conference -- his wife, Laura, and three kids, all donning Astros jerseys. His sons Josh, age 9, and Jared, 5 and daughter Lexi, 2, sat quietly as their dad explained how his brood played a major role in his decision to sign with Houston.
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