NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte has said many times that he wants to pitch for the Yankees in 2009. But that didn't stop him from filing for free agency today.

Pettitte filed the necessary papers with the league office that would permit him to negotiate with other teams beginning Friday if he so desires. The 36-year-old lefthander has consistently maintained his desire to be back in pinstripes. But as recently as Friday night, he said he had yet to hear anything concrete from general manager Brian Cashman about the team's interest in having him back.

Cashman and manager Joe Girardi have told the media they are interested in bringing Pettitte back. Pettitte says the sentiments haven't come directly to him, though, which could be an indication that their interest depends on the terms of a contract. A Yankees source said last week that Pettitte would need to take a pay cut from his 2008 salary of $16 million.

Pettitte, usually a good second-half performer, was 12-7 with a 3.76 ERA after his July 26 start and 2-7 with a 6.23 ERA in his final 11 starts.

The Yankees expect Mike Mussina to announce soon whether he will retire. Cashman said he could envision having both Mussina and Pettitte in the rotation again, but bringing Pettitte back would become more important if Mussina retires.