New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners Tickets

Mariners News:

Seattle might well have been one of the teams on Jose Vidro's no-trade list, but it sure didn't take much to convince the veteran switch-hitter to agree to a trade to the Mariners.

Sure, Vidro had favorable memories from his previous two trips to Safeco Field with the Montreal Expos during Interleague Play, like the fan support the Mariners received, and, of course, the lure of the city itself.

But when it came time to agree to a trade with Seattle, all the 32-year-old former All-Star had to do was sit down with his family and decide what really mattered to him the most.

"I saw a lot of possibilities here. I look at the roster this year, with the lineup they have, it looks very interesting," Vidro said. "I saw they were close to signing a couple of pitchers. I would like to be on a competitive team -- one that's not trying to rebuild. That was one of the things that I found attractive."

Nearly two weeks after they agreed in principle to the trade, the Mariners and Nationals completed a deal Monday that saw Vidro leave the only organization he's ever known to join Seattle along with cash considerations.

In return from the Mariners, the Nationals receive outfielder Chris Snelling and reliever Emiliano Fruto.

"Jose is a professional hitter," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. "We feel we can add him to our batting order anywhere from the second to the sixth spot and he will add production to our lineup. With the addition of Vidro and Jose Guillen to our returning players, I think we are a much stronger offensive team."

Vidro -- expected to be Seattle's full-time designated hitter in 2007 -- passed a physical in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, which cleared the way for a deal that had been agreed to in Orlando during the Winter Meetings nearly two weeks ago.

Seattle will assume $12 million of the $16 million due in the final two years on Vidro's contract. Vidro will earn $7.5 million in 2007 and $8.5 million in 2008. He had a 2009 vesting option added to his contract as part of the deal. If Vidro's option doesn't become guaranteed, he would receive a $500,000 payment.

A career .301 hitter, Vidro appeared in 125 games with Washington last season, hitting .289 with seven home runs and 47 RBIs. Vidro's .395 slugging percentage was his worst since becoming a full-time player in 1999.

Yankees News:

A familiar face is on his way back to the Bronx.

Andy Pettitte and the Yankees reached a one-year, $16 million agreement on Friday, adding the left-hander to New York's rotation for 2007.

The contract also includes a player option for 2008, also worth $16 million.

"We have preliminarily agreed to terms with Andy Pettitte on a contract to pitch for the New York Yankees, pending the passing of a physical examination," general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. "At this time, I will have no further comment."

Pettitte joins a rotation which includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano. The Yankees also have the negotiating rights to Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa, who would likely battle Pavano for the final spot in the rotation if he signs.

"I think it's exciting," Mussina said. "We all know he can pitch here; he had great success here. It will be good to have him back."

Houston had been offering Pettitte a one-year, $12 million deal, and had apparently decided not to go higher than that for the left-hander. Thursday, it appeared that the Astros had a trade in place with the White Sox to land Jon Garland, a sign that they had decided to move on without Pettitte. The trade with Chicago fell through, but the message had been sent.

"We told the Astros we would do the same deal at $14 million," Randy Hendricks, Pettitte's agent, said in an e-mail. "They have been stuck on $12 million and essentially said take it or leave it. The aborted Garland trade proves they had no intention of increasing their offer. So there was nothing more to wait for except a decision by Andy, which he made this afternoon."

Pettitte just completed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with Houston, going 37-26 with a 3.38 ERA for the Astros. Pettitte spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Yankees, going 149-78 in the regular-season and four World Series rings.

Pettitte went 14-13 with a 4.20 ERA in 2006, leading the Majors with 35 starts. Pettitte threw 214 1/3 innings, the second consecutive season in which he has topped the 200-inning mark.

After a poor first half in which he want 7-9 with a 5.28 ERA, Pettitte went 7-4 with a 2.80 after the All-Star break last season.