New York Yankees: Pros and Cons of Andy Pettitte Coming out of Retirement

One of the Yankees "Core Four" players is coming out of retirement. 

Jack Curry of the YES Network broke the story that left-hander Andy Pettitte will come out of retirement. Pettitte signed a one-year, $2.5 million minor-league deal with the Yankees. He will take his time getting ready to return to the rotation.

Pettitte appears to have the itch to comeback and here is a look at reasons why it could be a good thing for the Yankees, but also reasons why it may be a bad thing.

Pro: Veteran with Postseason Experience

Andy Pettitte has won 240 games over 16 seasons. He is a five-time World Series champion and his 19 postseason victories is the most in MLB history.

The New York Yankees are a team that always expects to be in the playoffs. Pettitte gives the Yankees a starter with more postseason success than any other starter in the league.

Con: Taking the Spot of a Young Starter

The Yankees biggest offseason moves were acquiring Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners and signing Hiroki Kuroda. With Sabathia and Kuroda locking up the one and two spots in the rotation, Pineda, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes were left battling for the remaining three spots.

However, with Andy Pettitte returning, that leaves only two spots in the rotation. Which means at least one of the young starters like Nova, Pineda and Hughes will not have a spot in the rotation. 

These young starters represent the future of the franchise, and Pettitte returning could stunt the growth of one of them. It is possible that Pineda has to be moved to the minors because he has the most options among the three.

Pro: Depth

A 162-game season is long and players getting hurt is common. Pettitte returning adds to the surplus of starting pitchers that the Yankees already have.

If one of their starting pitchers goes down due to injury, the Yankees have depth and another guy can slide in and fill the role.

Con: He Is 39 Going on 40

Andy Pettitte will turn 40 in June. Age has to be a factor for him in 2012. In what appeared to be his final season in 2011, Pettitte only pitched in 21 games. He missed starts because of a groin injury.

Because he is old in baseball terms, the idea of Pettitte going down due to an injury in 2012 is not a stretch.

Pro: Time off

Andy Pettitte did not pitch in 2011. This time off could have been good rest, while helping him stay healthy. 

As Joba Chamberlain has experienced, sometimes taking some time away from the game is needed mentally to help rest your body. 

Con: Time off

It is possible that the time off winds up hurting Pettitte as he tries to return to the MLB. Pettitte is getting up there in age, and it is possible that it takes him longer than expected to get back to his old pitching shape in 2012. His body may not be used to or able to handle the strenuous MLB schedule.