Mike Mussina, SP, New York Yankees

December 16, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Steven Kraser
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

The New York Yankees, who have not been able in recent seasons to overcome shaky pitching in the postseason, took a positive step toward at least maintaining its starting staff by announcing the re-signing of starting pitcher Mike Mussina on Nov 27. With question marks prevalent concerning other current or possible starters, getting Mussina back in the fold was almost a must for New York. In fact, Mussina stated that he had virtually no interest in signing with anyone else. The two-year deal is for $23 million, and was completed after the Yankees declined a $17 million option on Mussina with a $1.5 million buyout.

The two-year period will allow the Yankees to keep the veteran presence of Mussina around to assist in the growth of a few future starting pitchers (including Philip Hughes, Jeffrey Karstens and Darrell Rasner).

THE GAME PLAN

Coming off his original six-year contract with New York, Mussina, while a bit unsteady lately in the playoffs, has been a rock of consistency during the regular season. He has posted averages of 15 wins and 200 innings during the contract's span. With Mussina back on board, the Yankees will have a bit less pressure to rush fellow starting pitcher Randy Johnson (back) back from offseason surgery. In his second season, starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang had a breakout season with a 19-6 record and a 3.63 ERA; he also finishing second in the American League Cy Young Award vote.

The Yankees also brought back starting pitcher Andy Pettitte, which could further solidify New York's rotation. Even if Johnson comes back healthy for the start of the 2007 season, though, the fifth spot in the rotation is up in the air. New York secured the negotiating rights to Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa, having until Dec. 28 to make a deal. The two sides are reportedly very close to terms. Then there is starting pitcher Carl Pavano, who may be the single-biggest reason the Yankees have been gun-shy so far with most of this year's free-agent pitchers. Signed to a four-year, $39.95 million contract before the 2005 season, the oft-injured Pavano did not pitch with the Yankees in 2006 and made just 17 starts in 2005. Add to that some off-field incidents that did not sit well with the team, and Pavano may not only be out of the 2007 rotation, but off the team entirely. The St. Louis Cardinals reportedly have looked into Pavano's medical records, fueling speculation that the Cardinals have interest in him and that Pavano will be traded.

Those question marks put some pressure on Mussina to match his early success with New York (an average of 17 wins from 2001 to 2003) - and improve upon his last three seasons.

Table: Mike Mussina's Statistics (2004-2006)

Year	GS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	W	L	ERA	WHIP	BAA
2004	27	164.2	178	91	84	40	132	12	9	4.59	1.32	.276
2005	30	179.2	199	93	88	47	142	13	8	4.41	1.37	.284
2006	32	197.1	184	88	77	35	172	15	7	3.51	1.11	.241

CONCLUSION

The 2006 season was somewhat of a bounce-back year for Mussina. Mussina has had minimal health issues, and the Yankees may need as least the same production, if not more, from Mussina to compensate for some of the potential pitching roadblocks mentioned earlier. One thing that must get better is Mussina's playoff production (1-2 with a 5.28 ERA during the 2005 and 2006 postseasons). The Yankees' division rivals (notably the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles) have also focused on trying to revamp their pitching staffs this winter.

With a lineup behind him that remains potent and capable of lighting up the scoreboard each game, there is no reason that Mussina cannot match his recent production averages. Look for his usual 30 to 32 starts and 14 to 17 wins. With his recent injury history being minimal in nature, Mussina carries minimal risk and potentially a very good award.

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Steven Kraser

Steven Kraser is a management consultant for the sports management and entertainment business. He has consulted for professional and college franchises, leagues and news agencies in the areas of strategy, finance, and business operations. He has been a KFFL Contributor since 2003.

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