Mussina, Yankees Finalize Two-Year Contract

Mike Mussina and the New York Yankees finalized their $23 million, two-year contract yesterday.

The sides agreed to the deal a week earlier, and Mussina took a physical last Tuesday.

The right-hander, who turns 38 on December 8, was 15–7 with a 3.51 ERA this year. He isn't sure whether this will be his last contract.

"We'll have to see how I feel and what the situation is," he said. "If the situation's not right, this might be it."

New York declined a $17 million option two weeks ago, paying a $1.5 million buyout. The Yankees have Chien-Ming Wang, Mussina and Randy Johnson in their projected rotation, but Johnson is coming off back surgery. In addition, Carl Pavano is trying to return from injuries that have sidelined him since June 2005.

"Everybody is trying to fill in where they need to fill in," Mussina said. "We have some work to do."