Breaking News: Jets Ink Sanchez to Deal

Just in, the Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez have agreed on a contract. According to the Daily News, the deal is for 5 years and $28 million in guaranteed money. That would make him the highest-paid player in team history.

It was obviously expected both sides would reach a deal without a problem. The biggest thing, as noted in the article, is that the contract is for 5 years and not 6. Most Top-5 quarterbacks in the draft get a 6-year deal (Matt Stafford, the #1 pick, got 6 years and about $42 million from the Lions). The advantage here is for Sanchez, who can become a free agent a year early.

Nothing further is available at this point, but Sanchez as well as Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum will speak to reporters after the afternoon practice, which began at about 4:10 PM.

Checking in with the Jets

Haven't had a football related blog since my triumphant return, so I thought I'd catch you all up on some happenings around the Jets. They are currently taking part in OTAs (organized team activities) and have made headlines recently regarding the players in attendance.

News continues to revolve around quarterback Mark Sanchez and whether or not he'll be the starter this year. My guess is not right away, as I feel Kellen Clemens has the experience, and Sanchez might need some more time. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sanchez start later in the season.

As for players who have missed time at OTAs, the two stand-outs would be runningbacks Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. Both are unhappy with their current contracts. Jones is set to receive $900,000 this year, but wants more after he was the AFC's leading rusher last season. As for Washington, he's due just $535,000, and wants money similar to that of Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew (around $6 or 7 million).

Jones sat out all of the voluntary offseason workouts, but returned on Wednesday, May 27th. As for his back-up, Washington also sat out for a while from OTAs, and finally returned yesterday to the practice facility in Florham Park, NJ. According to Washington's agent, the return was "a move of good faith."

It appears unlikely either will get a big increase. Jones has received a lot already from his first two years of his four-year contract and is continuing to age (over 30). Washington could be either an unrestricted or restricted free agent after the season, depending on whether the league develops a new Collective Bargaining Agreement after the 2009 season. The team doesn't want to pay him a lot of he would be unrestricted, and rightfully so.

Either way, both are back working out with the team, both are in great shape as always, and will look to lead a run-heavy offense this season under the direction of new Head Coach Rex Ryan and either Clemens or Sanchez under center.

Pettitte Puts on the Pinstripes One More Time!

A deal has finally been reached on Monday afternoon and Andy Pettitte will come back to pitch one more year in pinstripes. Anyone who has followed the ongoings of this entire drama knew that he would come back to the Bronx. That's where he wanted to play, and while it looked like money was a big factor in all of it, Pettitte made sure he came back to help open the New Yankee Stadium.

Reports that I've heard are that the deal will be incentive-laden, guaranteeing $5.5 million, which is less than the previous offer of $10 million the Yankees had on the table. However, with incentives, the final figure could increase up to $12 million. That is if Pettitte remains healthy and puts up solid numbers. He will likely be the fifth starter in a rotation that as of now already includes C.C. Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, and Joba Chamberlain.

I think this was the right way to sign Pettitte to a deal. Let's be honest, at his age, he's not worth double-digit millions of dollars. He just simply is not that dominating despite some flashes he showed last season. In addition, at his age, who knows if he can continue to stay healthy? Giving him a decent amount of money up front with the ability to make more than was originally offered if he stays healthy and performs makes sense.

If Pettitte can remain healthy and win his fair share of ballgames, he'll be a great fifth starter for the Yanks. He brings a veteran prescence into the clubhouse to not only help continue mentor the young pitchers in the team's system but also can help in the adjustment process for newcomers C.C. and A.J. I was certain a deal was going to get done, as were many, and now that it is, Yankee fans can rest easy knowing who will more than likely be their starting five in 2009.