Andy Pettitte Signing Official, Russell Martin update

Earlier today, the Yankees confirmed the signing of Andy Pettitte to a one year contract for the 2013 season that will pay him $12 million. Pettitte can also make up to an additional $2.5 million in award bonuses. This signing gives the Yankees a starting rotation before December 1st, which is something they did not have over the last two seasons this early in the off-season. They now have a rotation consisting of CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova/David Phelps. The full rotation gives the Yankees options to trade starters this winter. Phil Hughes could possibly get traded because he is a free agent next season and I don't think the Yankees believe he will be worth the money he will ask next year.

As for Russell Martin, sources have confirmed that he has narrowed his selection between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees. However, the Pirates seem to be going after Martin a lot harder than the Yankees are. Martin wants $9-10 million per year on a three year contract. Word on the street is that the Yankees only want to give him two years. It should be interesting to see where he lands. In the event that Martin winds up elsewhere, the Yankees need to search hard for an everyday catcher. Could Mike Napoli be on their radar? I'd say that would be unlikely considering they don't even want to pay Russell Martin what he wants. They could stick Austin Romine into the starting catcher position in the 2013 season similar to what they did with Jorge Posada in 1996. So, in a way it's intriguing to see how the Yankees' catching situation unfolds.