In December of 2003, I said the Yankees not signing Andy Pettitte was the biggest mistake the team had made in at least 25 years (that is until they signed A-Rod last offseason, but that's another story). They valued other team's free agents as opposed to one of their own, and instead of having a rotation that featured Mike Mussina, Javier Vasquez, and Pettitte, they were instead blessed with Kevin Brown. I am a firm believer that if the Yankees signed Pettitte back in 2003, at a time when he wanted to sign, the Yankees would never have lost to the Red Sox in the ALCS, and in turn would have helped Don Mattingly get his first ring.

Well fast-forward to the present, and this time it's Pettitte that's in the wrong.  The Yankees have come out all along and said they want him back, however they want him back at a lower salary than he made the last two years. When you look at his numbers, that's perfectly reasonable. But furthermore, it's time for Pettitte to pay back the Yankees for their loyalty.

Two years ago the lefty signed a one-year deal with a player option for the second year for $16 million. In other words, it was entirely his decision if he wanted to come back and pitch for $16 million in 2008. The team gave him plenty of time to make a decision, and when Pettitte finally did make his decision, it was to return. Then, only a few days later, the Mitchell Report came out, and Pettitte was one of the prime names mentioned.

Instead of looking into ways to possibly void the contract, the Yankees supported Pettitte 100 percent. They gave him a couple of extra days before reporting to spring training, and when he did arrive and host a press conference, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera all showed up in support of their longtime friend and teammate.

During the 2003 season Pettitte said that he could not envision himself pitching for anyone else besides the Yankees. As we said earlier though, the Yankees dissed him, and he took his services to his hometown Astros. Throughout the 2008 season, Pettitte had said that if he were going to pitch in 2009, it would only be for the Yankees. At no point did he say, it would only be for the Yankees if they paid him a salary that was near or equal to $16 million. 

So with the Yankees having offered $10 million, which is MORE than fair, as a matter of fact, it's probably a few million over market value, which is just another sign of the team's loyalty, it's time for Pettitte to live up to his reputation of being one of the few good, and honest people in sports. If he wants to come back and play for the Yankees, accept their offer, if he doesn't, then don't. But don't hide behind the fa