Freddy García Inks Deal with New York Yankees

NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Freddy Garcia #43 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the New York Yankees on April 30, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (2010 Getty Images)

The New York Yankees this off-season have assembled a great pitching staff – if they could turn the clock back to 2005!

A week after signing former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colón, the Bronx Bombers signed Freddy García to a minor league deal, sources told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not officially been announced. The contract could be worth up to $5.1 million, and it also lets García opt out by March 29.

The 35-year-old García went 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts last season for the Chicago White Sox. The righty is a two-time All-Star and has a career record of 133-87 in 12 seasons with Seattle, Philadelphia, Detroit and the White Sox.

Spring training starts for the Yankees in two weeks in Tampa, Fla., and their rotation is still unsettled.

New York hopes to hear shortly whether 38-year-old Andy Pettitte will return for another season. CC Sabathia remains the Yankees' ace and Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett are assured spots, with Sergio Mitre and young Ivan Nova as possibilities to start.

García bounced back from three injury-interrupted season to pitch well for the White Sox last season. The Yankees got a close-up look at him when he threw seven impressive innings to beat them in Chicago on Aug. 27.

The Venezuelan hurler also lost at Yankee Stadium in late April.

García enjoyed successful, durable years early in his career with Seattle. He went 17-8 as a rookie in 1999 and was 18-6 with an AL-leading 3.05 ERA and 238 2-3 innings in 2001.

He was an All-Star for Seattle in 2001 and 2002.

In seven of his first eight seasons, García made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 200 innings.

García won a total of five games for the Phillies, Tigers and White Sox from 2007-09 before showing flashes of his old self last year.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.