"Houston? We have no problem..."

OK, so he's not going to be playing for the Astros for free, but Andy Pettitte's decision to accept Houston's 3-year $31.5 million offer showed that it's not always just about the money (I know - it's easy for it to be about other things than money when you make more in one month than most people make in five years, but still...). After nine years in New York, Pettitte decided that he'd like to play somewhere much closer to his Deer Park, Texas home, and the Astros were the perfect fit, even though their offer was way below what the Yankees (and the Red Sox too, apparently - surprise, surprise...!) were prepared to put on the table. From what I've seen and heard of Pettitte, it's not that much of a surprise that family issues came out ahead of money issues.

Buster Olney examines the effect that Pettitte's departure could have on the Yankee organisation as a whole.

After the announcement of Pettitte's departure, George Steinbrenner issued the following statement, which succeeds in being both honourable and ominous at the same time:

"We hate to lose Andy Pettitte. We want to thank him for his many contributions to the New York Yankees and we wish him the best of luck with his new team. He is a fine competitor and a gentleman. We know the fans may be disappointed but if you're counting us out next year, don't bet the house."

It didn't take the Yankees long to react to the loss of Pettitte - they've allegedly worked out a deal with the Dodgers which would bring Kevin Brown to New York and send Jeff Weaver to Los Angeles. The money-go-round is in full swing...