Whipped?

According to the following article by Franz Lidz, Mike Mussina’s wife will play a big part in his decision on whether or not to return to the Yankees in 2009. That’s not really a surprise, as family matters are of course relevant to career decisions, however, Lidz’s article makes it appear as though Moose’s wife will have the final say. Hopefully, she’ll be OK with him playing for one more year because I know many fans want to see him return.

(Props to RAB).

Peace Meach

As many of you probably know, the Yankees may tinker with Girardi’s coaching staff during the offseason. Bobby Meacham has been widely criticized and will probably get the boot. Not only was his job at third pretty weak, but many feel that Girardi relied heavily upon Meacham’s advice, which, in retrospect, wasn’t a very good thing. The article I cite for this post comments that Larry Bowa could return, however, I highly doubt it since he has stated that the only reason he even went to LA is to work with Joe Torre and I feel like that will continue into next year (Joe’s not going anywhere).

Jumping The Gun…

From George King III (NY Post):

Decision makers in The Bronx and Pittsburgh said yesterday there was nothing to the Yankees acquiring outfielder Nate McLouth from the Pirates – yet.

“We haven’t talked about it, it’s premature,” a Yankees source said.

“Haven’t heard a word about that,” a Pirates source said.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington has declared nobody is untouchable, and the Pirates are looking to upgrade a poor minor league system and major league talent base, so McLouth’s name has been tossed around. The Yankees are in the market for a center fielder.

Though some believe the left-handed hitting McLouth isn’t a true center fielder. The first-time All-Star batted .276 this year with 26 homers and 94 RBIs. McLouth, 27 later this month, was 23-for-26 in stolen base attempts and had a .356 on-base percentage.

After trading outfielders Jason Bay to Boston and Xavier Nady to the Yankees, respectively, the Pirates would want a lot for McLouth, who isn’t yet eligible for arbitration and made $450,000 this past season.

I’m surprised that King even pursued this rumor. The season is barely over for the Yanks and the Bucs, but I guess you can never be too soon when jumping on possible trades (I’ve written about the rumor before, however, I figured it was simply speculation whereas here, King’s use of the word “yet” makes it seem like it’s practically written in stone). McLouth would be a nice coupe if the Yankees can get him. He’s just the type of player Cashman is talking about in terms of being young, athletic and, of course, affordable. If he does become a legitimate target, expect IPK to be thrown around as a possible trading chip. Hell, maybe in two years the entire Pirate rotation will feature Yankee castoffs (Karstens, Ohlendorf, Kennedy).

King also mentions Mike Cameron as a possible target, although he’s still under contract with the Brewers and they would have to buy out his final year.