Like I said in my previous post, the rumor mill has been slow for a few days. We haven’t heard anything new about targets like Johan Santana or Erik Bedard. If neither of those happen, we may have to look in another direction. If Bedard or Santana were obtained, there would be an attempt to sign them long term as they are both just now entering their prime. But what if they don’t work out? Someone is going to have to bridge the gap next season.

The New York Yankees appear all set to go with a young rotation consisting of Wang, Pettitte, Chamberlain, Hughes and Kennedy. That leaves two men out, Kei Igawa, who I’ve mentioned previously, and Mike Mussina. “Moose” had a tough year in 2007, posting a 5.51 ERA, but he’s just one year removed from going 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. Those were numbers similar to his Baltimore days.

Mussina is in the final year of his contract ($11M) and the Yankees would love to move him. He does have no-trade protection, so that makes this deal unlikely. He doesn’t want to move, but if he does it’s likely going to be to an East Coast team. So far only the Phillies have showed any interest, though the Mariners could make a pitch for him if their pitching situation worsens. The Yankees should be looking for a team to eat his entire salary and throw in a couple mid-level prospects, though it may take more than that in this market. MI-MUS

3 Responses to SP Option: Mike Mussina

1. Patrick (4 comments)
   1 December 10th, 2007 at 7:52 pm

   I don’t really like the prospect of bringing in Mike Mussina. Though he never had a smokin hot fastball, he has lost enough velocity to be deemed ineffective. I’m not so sure that the Yankees are ready to jump ship on him yet because I don’t think they are ready to put Chamberlain, Hughes, and Kennedy all in the rotation at the same time. At this point, I trust Kuroda more than I trust Mussina.

2. Jon Shields (452 comments)
   2 December 10th, 2007 at 8:19 pm

   As I implied, I wouldn’t recommend this unless the Mariners strike out everywhere else. That’s a lot of salary to pick up, no matter how good or bad he may be.

3. Idiot Face (1 comments)
   3 December 11th, 2007 at 8:45 am

   WE NEED MUSSINA TO WIN IT ALL IN ‘08, but then again my name is Idiot Face

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