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Mussina Speaks About Future
Mike Mussina, who goes for his first 20 win season today, is unsure about his future although he does seem open to stay in the game for at least one more year, this according to Kat O'Brien of Newsday. O'Brien writes,
"If my intent is going for 300, then if I'm in for one, I'm in for three," Mussina said. He added that if he pitched one year and pushed past the 280-win mark: "By then, I would absolutely owe it to myself to try."
If he does return, Mussina said his first choice is to pitch for the Yankees. If he wants to pitch and they do not want him back, he will look elsewhere, but only within a limited radius of his home in Montoursville, Pa., and only in the American League. Said Mussina: "My market's pretty limited."
If Mussina does continue on a grail quest to reach 300 wins, which he acknowledged does in fact matter if attainable, seems to have limited himself to three teams in the AL East (New York, Boston, Baltimore) and maybe certain AL Central teams like Chicago, Cleveland, or Minnesota. I'll posit that Kansas City would not be both too far and not provide the opportunity for wins a guy seeking 300 would want.
Tyler Kepner of the New York Times suggests Moose is more tentative. Writes Kepner,
"Mussina has studied the careers of pitchers with comparable statistics, noticing that many limped to the finish. He would rather leave while pitching well, but his career wins total complicates things."
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I hope he comes back.
Posted by: Chris | September 28, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I do too. I've always been a big fan of Mussina, even when he was with the O's. I think the Yanks will bring him back. He's shown that he's still got some fuel left in the tank, and I think its important to have a veteran guy like Moose in any rotation...and aside from Pettite (who may not be back next year either), the Yankees don't really have that.
Moose and Hughes throw the same type of curveball. Given the success Moose has had with his knuckle-curve, would it not also be a good idea to have him around so maybe he could give Hughes the occasional pointer? There are a bunch of advantages to having Moose in the rotation for a couple more years, and I as a fan would like to watch him pursue entry into the 300 club.
Posted by: jlemoine | September 28, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Interesting he notes Boston as a place he would like to play. The sox already have Schilling they could bring back at a much lower cost and probably be just as effective next year if both parties wanted to get a deal done.
Moose should probably stick with the Yanks and the Yanks would be wise to go no farther than 1 year guaranteed.
Posted by: johns | September 28, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Bring him back to Baltimore. The Orioles could use a leader on their pitching staff. No, he's not a #1 by any means, but he knows how to pitch. O's pitchers have the "stuff", they just don't know how to use it. Mussina can help that.
Posted by: dorfmac | September 28, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Mussina didnt say he would like to play in Boston, they just happen to be in the range from his home and are in the AL. I think there are really only 2 teams he would want to play for the Yanks or Orioles. But if your going for 300 I don't think the O's is a wise choice and who knows with the Yanks
Posted by: Barroid_Bonds | September 28, 2008 at 03:01 PM
If Mussina wants to seriously win 300 games, excluding the NL is a mistake. He'd have a better chance of getting to 300 if he switched leagues. I mean the Phillies and the Mets would be the only real options, but he'd have good teams behind him at least. I've always liked Mussina and would love to see him get to 300. A return to Baltimore would be a nice full circle thing, but it wouldn't help him much in his quest.
Posted by: gatling | September 28, 2008 at 03:59 PM
How is Mussina not an ace at this point? An ERA under 3.50 and 19 wins sounds like ace material to me.
On a one year deal he will be a steal for any club that can sign him.
Posted by: bjsguess | September 28, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Anyone know what kind of money he might be looking for? Any chance Indians could sign him to a one-year deal to be the number 3?
Posted by: ilulic | September 28, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I predict a 1-year deal worth $12 million, with a mutual option for the same amount for 2010.
Posted by: AndrewYF | September 28, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Andrew - that sounds about right. Maybe a little bit more than $12m but conceptually I agree that the deal will be close to that.
Posted by: bjsguess | September 28, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Thanks Andrew. Nevermind, I doubt the Indians would make that type of investment in a guy that's at the end of his career.
Posted by: ilulic | September 28, 2008 at 07:56 PM
As a matter of fact, I wouldn't want them to sign him to that type of money. Trading for a starter is our best option, I think.
Posted by: ilulic | September 28, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Moose needs one more solid year to have a pretty good HOF chance. 300 of course would assure it, but even 280 would make him very strong for it. Right now I think he's in the gray area and I would hate to see him leave the game and leave something on the table. I think he returns to the Yankees even though that might not be the best fit for him at this time.
Posted by: schellis | September 28, 2008 at 11:16 PM