Mussina up in air about future, Jeter done for season
Mike Mussina said he has ot made up his mind about continuing to pitch. He said at one point that if he did, going year-to-year would be best. But at another point, he said if he's in for three, he might as well be in for three so he could try to get to 300 wins.
Mussina will try for win No. 20 tomorrow. He's finished with 19 twice before. Said Mussina: "Am I going to be disappointed with what I've done for all these years (if I don't get it)? No."
If Mussina does decide to pitch, he said his first choice is to return to New York. If he pitches and the Yankees are interested, that will be that. If he wants to pitch and the Yankees aren't interested, it's a short list of teams he'll consider. Essentially those within a short distance of his Pennsylvania home, and he didn't sound real enthused about the idea of going to the National League. He said of his family: "They're probably leaning towards me going home, I'd say. My wife would have liked me to retire about five years ago. Ultimately, it's still up to me."
The question, Mussina said, is: "Pretty much, can I do it for three more years?" Because if he gets past 280 wins, "By the way, I would absolutely owe it to myself to try."
If Mussina does retire and makes it to the Hall of Fame, he said he'd be leaning towards going in with a Yankees cap and not an Orioles cap.
Girardi wouldn't indicate what type of conversations he's had with Mussina, but said he wasn't sure if Mussina and Pettitte are in the same place mentally. Since we all believe Pettitte's coming back, either we're wrong or Girardi's getting a different vibe from Mussina.
Derek Jeter is done for the year. Unable to swing, he's shutting it down.
No updates on when or if the game might start.
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Comments (16)
Former Yankees' Assistant GM Kim Ng is the front runner for the Seattle GM slot. She's heading in for a second interview and if she gets the job would be the first female GM in any sport.
I watched some of the Met game and really like the way Jorge Cantu plays first. I'm very serious about wanting to bring him in if Tex doesn't sign here. .280 BA, .330 OBP, .484 SLG and he hit 29 HR and drove in 95 playing in a VERY tough park for hitters.
Also, according to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are planning to make a major play for Nate McLouth this winter. This follows a rumor by Ken Rosenthal a couple of weeks ago that said that while negotiating the Xavier Nady deal the Yankees and Pirates also put together the framework of a deal that would send McLouth and Maholm or Ian Snell to the Yankees. It was said that the deal couldn't be done at the time because it would have included Robbie Cano going to the Pirates and the Yankees didn't feel they could replace Cano mid season but with Olrando Hudson available as a free agent this winter, that's no longer a major obstacle.
Chip,
I don't see why the Pirates would trade McLouth for Cano when he's not making any money and Cano has a sizable contract for a small market team.
Either McLouth can move to RF or LF when McCutchen is ready or McCutchen can make the switch.
I wouldn't make that trade if I'm the Pirates.
I've said many times before that I think Heyman is full of crap most of the time and this is a good example of it.
I am glad to see they are seriously considering moving Cano because I've lost all faith in his ability to focus everyday and stay motivated.
Viper -
McLouth is up for arbitration, he's not locked into a contract like Cano is. Robbie offers the Pirates cost certainty which McLouth does not.
I would generally agree with you on Heyman but this is the second person who has floated this as a serious possibility (Rosenthal being the other).
Today was a good example of why the Yanks should have gotten Santana: He came through when his team was desperate. We also saw why the Yanks need to stay away from Ben Sheets- he came up very small for his team.
I don't think Pettitte is coming back. From a friend of a friend, he is tired. Mentally and physically.
Jim - Johan came up HUGE for the Mets today, no doubt about it. But I still contend that Johan wouldn't have gotten the Yankees into the playoffs.
Jenn - I never count on Andy until I hear he is signed. I really think that when he realizes that the Yankees aren't going to give him 16 mil again he'll decide to head home rather than come back for 8-10 mil.
I also truly believe Moose is retiring. I heard him on WFAN the other day and he conceeded that if he comes back it would almost force him to stay until he gets 300 wins and he's not sure he wants to commit to that.
In the end, maybe the Yankees get a Paul Maholm or Ian Snell in a McLouth deal - or maybe they pick up a Harang or Arroyo (big contracts for next year coming off of bad seasons) but I think the most likely scenario has the Yankees end up with Burnett and Derek Lowe in the rotation along with Hughes, Wang and Joba.
Chip,
So what if McLouth is eligible for arbitration. Landing Cano would put them on the hook for a whole lot more:
09: $6M
10: $9M
11: $10M
Club options:
12: $14M
13: $15M
Whatever McLouth gets in arbitration won't be anywhere near what Cano is making.
The only certainty is that McLouth won't be making Cano money for another two years when he's eligible for free agency.
Viper - you don't think coming off the season he had this year that McLouth could get at least 6 mil in arbitration?
Felipe Lopez (a utility INF) got nearly 5 million in arbitration this last winter. Mark Loretta (an old utility INF) got 3 mil and those were two where the club won. Ryan Howard won himself 10 mil while Ollie Perez got 6.75.
Take a look if you doubt my numbers:
http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/732598.html
Chip,
If McLouth gets $10M (which he won't), it's only a one-year deal and he's a better all-around player than Cano any way you cut it - offensively, defensively, or his speed on the basepaths.
If they land Cano, they are guaranteed to be on the hook for at least $25M over three years. Add another $2M if they decide against picking up his options for '12 and '13.
So, no. No matter what McLouth gets in arbitration - Cano will be making considerably more. That is, unless the Yanks decide to throw in some cash as part of any deal - which is entirely possible.
Hey, I'd love to have McLouth. And I'd make that deal tomorrow if I could.
But I don't think the Pirates are that stupid unless the Yanks throw in a top young arm or two as well.
Viper -
That's really short sighted.
Yes, McLouth next year won't make as much as Cano will over the next three years. But Cano over the next three years won't make as much as McLouth will over that same period of time.
McLouth is entering his first year of arbitration. Assume he gets 7 million this year. You think that's going to get lower in 2010? 2011? And then he becomes a free agent. With Cano, yes, they're on the hook for at least $25 million over 3 years but that's a static number, it's not going to get any higher (unless they pick up his options) no matter how well he produces. Every year that McLouth produces he gets more expensive. The alternative is for them to sign him to a long term deal which likely will be more costly than Cano's deal).
But the Pirates could do the same thing and offer McLouth an extension.
Whatever McLouth is going to make, he's a better player than Cano and is worth more dollar-for-dollar.
Like I said, I'd love to see it happen. I'm just not holding my breath.
Heyman is usually full of BS.
And McLouth's extension would cost the Pirates more than Cano's contract would - and that's the point - the Pirates can't afford McLouth and thus they would be looking to move him while his value is highest (ie a productive young player who can't be a free agent for another three years)
I never said that the deal would be McLouth for Cano 1-for-1. I said that the rumor was (according to Rosenthal) that the Yankees and Pirates, while hammering out a Nady deal were laying the framework for deal that would send McLouth and a pitcher to the Yankees for a package built around Cano. I'm sure that a mid level pitcher (Marquez, Kontos) would be included as well.
In the end, do I think McLouth is coming here? Maybe. I think there are a couple of guys (DeJesus, Cody Ross, Mike Cameron) who are more likely.
The Pirates could afford to sign him to an extension if they wish.
Hell, look at what the Rays have done with Kazmir and Longoria.
The small market teams are in a much better position to keep those young kids than 4-5 years ago.
In fact, it's the primary reason why the free agent market sucks now. The small market teams are locking the young stars up and not letting them go to free agency.
We'll see. But I'd stay away from DeJesus. If they are going to make a trade at all, they need to focus on a long term option who can switch to the corner outfield slot when Jackson is ready in another year.
Dude... Chipster...?
WTF do you have for Cody Ross... ?
You mention that guys name in every post that you put on here...
Mike Cameron....???
C'mon... you've got to be kidding me.
Cano will remain a Yankee... and the Yankees would be crazy for dealing him for McLouth.
McLouth is 26, is having a very good season... but has reached his peak after 3 very sub-par seasons. Same with Ross.
Cano is 25 and having a "bad" year after 3 very good seasons... and is only going to get better. Give the guy a break.
And please don't give me that the Yankees will get Hudson to play 2nd base... Where does it say that Hudson is destined or obligated or that is the devine right of the Yankees to land Hudson? Besides he's coming off of 2 years in which his seasons have ended due to left wrist/hand surgery. I doubt he can fill Cano's shoes.
DOC