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November 04, 2006

Mussina To The Mets?

From the Baltimore Sun -

According to the New York Post, pitcher Mike Mussina has told friends that the New York Mets would be a welcome option if the Yankees don't want him back. And the Mets likely will be interested in the former Oriole if he becomes a free agent.

According to a baseball official, the Mets "would have to consider [Mussina] if he is available."

This is probably just Mussina trying to push the Yankees buttons. If Mussina is smart, he should go to the Mets. In the A.L., he's just a 12-13 game winner now. In the N.L., on a good team, he could win 17 games in 2007.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 4, 2006 09:46 AM

Comments

The Daily News today paints the new two-year Mussina deal as pretty much done.

What's interesting is that we are seeing more tangible names associated with Sheffield (in the Post). Linebrink, Ledezma, and Laird were mentioned. That's a calibre of player slightly better than I expected.

Posted by: jonm [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 4, 2006 10:07 AM

If I were the Yanks, I'd be wary of trading Sheffield for a middle reliever like Linebrink. He's pitched in 73 games each of the past three seasons and after a great 2004 and 2005, he was only average last year in the NL. Linebrink just seems like a guy that's going to crash and burn pretty soon and Torre would only hasten Linebrink's demise.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 4, 2006 10:57 AM

I agree with MJ. The Yankees may as well try to economize on relievers given that they are stuck with Torre and his propensity to burn relievers out.

Posted by: jonm [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 4, 2006 11:11 AM

Okay, I won't ever tell a host to not show bias (it's his site and he can say whatever the hell he wants). But Mike Mussina is only a 12/13-game winner now? Well, um, he won 15 games THIS year, which makes him a 15-game winner. Why, oh, why do you hate this man, Steve. (Actually, I know why you hate him, which I think is based on false information, but stats are stats.)

Anyway, I'm wiping the drool from my chin at the thought of getting Ledezma for Sheffield. Frankly, I'm shocked he's worth this much to teams. Considering his age, reputation, attitude, unhappiness with the trade, etc.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 4, 2006 01:10 PM

I'd say the Yanks should try to get a SP for Sheffield.

Bailey: You shouldn't be shocked, Sheffield is that good a player. Reputation/attitude or no, it's pretty much a given that he'll play every day.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 5, 2006 10:28 AM

Sheffield is also almost 40 years old and coming off wrist surgery. I don't think that guarantees that he'll play every day. Plus he's not a good outfielder. AND he has one of the worst attitudes in baseball (he's Barry Bonds-lite) and he has already made threats about this trade. If I was a GM, I wouldn't touch Sheffield. Great numbers, but totally selfish, totally paranoid, and the biggest of distractions.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 5, 2006 12:33 PM

Steve - what is the basis for concluding that a 12-13 game winner in the AL would be a 17 game winner in the NL? Is it the DH? If so, why?

Note that 2005 went the opposite way. The leading AL pitcher won 19 games. The leading NL pitcher won only 16 games.

Posted by: David [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 5, 2006 05:56 PM

Steve - what is the basis for concluding that a 12-13 game winner in the AL would be a 17 game winner in the NL? Is it the DH? If so, why?

Note that 2005 went the opposite way. The leading AL pitcher won 19 games. The leading NL pitcher won only 16 games.

Posted by: David [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 5, 2006 05:57 PM