The return of free-agent left-hander Andy Pettitte to the Yankees is "virtually inevitable," according to a source with knowledge of the pitcher's intentions. While a deal is not imminent, it is believed that the two sides will eventually come to an agreement on a one-year deal.
The signing of Pettitte would likely end the Yankees' pursuit of other free-agent pitchers, namely right-handers Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets.
The Yankees have offered Pettitte a one-year, $10 million deal (with some reports indicating the actual offer was $10.5 million), but the 36-year-old lefty has been reluctant to take a pay cut from his 2007 salary of $16 million.
No other teams have shown serious interest in Pettitte, who has repeatedly expressed a desire to pitch in the new Yankee Stadium, which opens in April.
