(Daily News) With the holding pattern continuing on Andy Pettitte, the Yankees added another hedge for their starting rotation by coming to terms Monday on a minor-league contract with veteran righty Freddy Garcia, according to a baseball official. The Yanks also took a chance last week on 37-year-old Bartolo Colon, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2009, also on a minor-league deal. Garcia, 35, was in spring training with the Mets in 2009 while recovering from a shoulder injury, but he was released in April after two ineffective appearances with Triple-A Buffalo. He posted a 4.34 ERA in nine starts later that season for the White Sox before reestablishing himself last year with a 12-6 record and a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts for the White Sox. He will earn $1.5 million if he makes the Yanks’ roster, with more than $3.5 million available in incentives.
Now I know a lot of you are wondering why the Yanks are signing all these post-prime pitchers for the back-end of the rotation. But I’m going to go ahead and say this is a great move. This isn’t a Bartolo Colon or Mark Prior signing. This is a guy who was 12-6 last season in the American League. He has proved that he’s a great pitcher for any team to have in the 4 or 5 spot. I’m surprised they signed him to a minor league deal given his recent success. If he pitched for the Yanks last year, he would’ve been slotted in the 4th spot. If you compare him to A.J. Burnett, you will be amazed how much better of a season Garcia had. Plus, it wasn’t like Garcia was facing the Nationals or the Pirates six times in the season. He was facing tough lineups each time he was on the bump. You might call me crazy, but I’m expecting big things out of Freddy right from the start of the season.
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5 BOROUGH SPORTS 
February 2, 2011 at 11:40 am
I guess the more options the better… but its starting to seem like the Yankees are desperate.
February 2, 2011 at 11:51 am
Phil Negus and he combined for a no hitter in the minor leagues, so that is just something to keep in mind as the season starts.