Andy Pettitte Would Have Returned to Yankees If Cliff Lee Had Signed With New York

For the Yankees, Andy Pettitte's decision to retire stings. His reason for hanging 'em up, however, hurts twice as badly.

The veteran lefty said, according to SI's Jon Heyman, that he'd return to the Yankees if the team was able to sign free agent Cliff Lee, but given that Lee signed with Philadelphia, Pettitte's calling it a career.

"Pettitte told people early this winter he'd pitch if yanks got lee but wouldn't if lee went else," Heyman tweeted.

So, in missing out on Lee, the Yankees essentially missed out on 40 percent of their rotation, two frontline starters and about 300 innings of quality pitching. Ouch.