So the word from Andy Pettitte’s camp is that the southpaw still wants to pitch in the big leagues. The Yankees are clearly hot for him and are reportedly prepared to pay him $15-16 million for 2007, and perhaps even give him a two-year deal when all is said and done. Now whether Pettitte’s agents are using the Bombers simply to get a better deal from the Astros, only time will tell. According to The Houston Chronicle:

The Astros’ excitement was a bit tempered by the realization that Pettitte hasn’t decided where he will play.

“We certainly are motivated,” [GM, Tim] Purpura said. “I think certainly Andy is motivated. I can only control our part of the process. They obviously will talk to other clubs and see what financial parameters they can glean from the other clubs.

“That part of it I can’t really tell you. Certainly from our point of view, we’re ready to move forward if we can make the right deal.”

Meanwhile, Brian Cashman had dinner with Scott Boras, Mike Piazza signed with the A’s, Freddy Garcia was moved to Philly, and the Cubs landed Ted Lilly.