NEW YORK -- Andy Pettitte formally returned to the New York Yankees on Friday night when he accepted the team's offer of salary arbitration.
Barrett
Pettitte
Loretta
Catcher Michael Barrett returned to the San Diego Padres when he accepted his club's offer and infielder Mark Loretta went back to the Houston Astros. They were the only players to accept among the 17 offered arbitration by their former clubs last Saturday.
Pettitte, who made $16 million last season, decided last weekend he preferred to pitch for the Yankees next year and put off retirement. The acceptance of arbitration appeared to be procedural -- he had a standing $16 million offer from New York.
Pettitte was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA this year in his return to the Yankees following three seasons with his hometown Houston Astros. The left-hander went 11-3 after the All-Star break.
He declined a $16 million player option last month, saying he needed more time for a decision.
Loretta hit .287 with four homers and 41 RBIs last season, when he made $3.5 million, including $1 million in performance bonuses.
By accepting arbitration, Loretta can negotiate a one-year deal or allow an arbitration panel to decide his salary.
"I know Houston, I know the guys and feel comfortable there," Loretta told the Houston Chronicle.
Loretta's teammate, pitcher Trever Miller, declined his arbitration offer because he wants at least a two-year deal.
Miller has not ruled out returning to Houston -- if they meet his salary demand. He pitched in 76 games last season and had an ERA of 4.86.
"The Astros will not budge from their one-year offer," Miller told Houston TV station KRIV. "I would love to be an Astro and if the Astros are serious about bringing me and my family back to Houston it will have to be a two-year deal."
If Miller signs with another team, the Astros would receive a compensatory draft pick next year.
Barrett, who earned $4.4 million, batted .244 for the Chicago Cubs and the Padres, who acquired him in a June trade.
Among those who declined arbitration offers and remained free agents are outfielder Mike Cameron (San Diego), third baseman Pedro Feliz (San Francisco), reliever Eric Gagne (Boston), pitcher Livan Hernandez (Arizona), left-hander Ron Mahay (Atlanta), catcher Mike Piazza (Oakland), outfielder Aaron Rowand (Philadelphia), outfielder Shannon Stewart (Athletics) and reliever Luis Vizcaino (Yankees).
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Source: ESPN.com
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