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NEW YORK -- Mike Mussina, who became a first-time 20-game winner in what may be the final season of his Major League career, officially filed for free agency on Wednesday.
Mussina will turn 40 in November, and the 18-year veteran reached no decision about pitching again past this season, when he logged the elusive 20th victory during his final start of the year on Sept. 28 at Boston's Fenway Park.
Agent Arn Tellem visited Mussina at his Montoursville, Pa., home last week, and he said that the right-hander, who has 270 Major League victories, has not moved any closer to stating if he intends to pitch again.
Though general manager Brian Cashman said this week that Mussina "could be" a pitcher who can help fill the Yankees' needs in the rotation, Cashman and manager Joe Girardi have said that they expect Mussina to retire. Cashman said that he has not spoken to Mussina since the week immediately following the regular season.
Mussina said in September that he would be "completely satisfied" in walking away on a high note -- as the veteran explained, if he re-signs for one season, he would need to be mentally committed to pitch three more years. Retiring 30 victories shy of the vaunted 300-win plateau would be easier for Mussina to handle than getting closer and hanging it up.
"I think it'd be pretty cool," Mussina said then. "I don't know what everyone else thinks, but I think it'd be pretty cool."
Left-hander Damaso Marte also became a free agent on Wednesday, officially filing after the Bronx Bombers turned down his $6 million option for next season, instead paying him a $250,000 buyout.
The 33-year-old was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in July and appeared in 25 games for the Yankees, faring 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA. Marte walked 10 and struck out 24 in 18 1/3 innings, allowing 14 hits and 11 earned runs.
Girardi said late in the season that Marte had become fatigued by a heavier-than-anticipated workload upon arriving in the trade from the Pirates, which may have skewed his numbers somewhat.
It remains likely that the Yankees will offer arbitration to Marte, a Type A free agent, so they would garner a compensatory Draft selection if he signs with another club. Cashman has also not ruled out the idea that Marte could return to the Bombers' bullpen.
First baseman Jason Giambi and right-hander Carl Pavano also officially filed for free agency on Wednesday, one day after the Yankees declined their respective contractual options for 2009.
Mussina will turn 40 in November, and the 18-year veteran reached no decision about pitching again past this season, when he logged the elusive 20th victory during his final start of the year on Sept. 28 at Boston's Fenway Park.
Agent Arn Tellem visited Mussina at his Montoursville, Pa., home last week, and he said that the right-hander, who has 270 Major League victories, has not moved any closer to stating if he intends to pitch again.
Though general manager Brian Cashman said this week that Mussina "could be" a pitcher who can help fill the Yankees' needs in the rotation, Cashman and manager Joe Girardi have said that they expect Mussina to retire. Cashman said that he has not spoken to Mussina since the week immediately following the regular season.
Mussina said in September that he would be "completely satisfied" in walking away on a high note -- as the veteran explained, if he re-signs for one season, he would need to be mentally committed to pitch three more years. Retiring 30 victories shy of the vaunted 300-win plateau would be easier for Mussina to handle than getting closer and hanging it up.
"I think it'd be pretty cool," Mussina said then. "I don't know what everyone else thinks, but I think it'd be pretty cool."
Left-hander Damaso Marte also became a free agent on Wednesday, officially filing after the Bronx Bombers turned down his $6 million option for next season, instead paying him a $250,000 buyout.
The 33-year-old was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in July and appeared in 25 games for the Yankees, faring 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA. Marte walked 10 and struck out 24 in 18 1/3 innings, allowing 14 hits and 11 earned runs.
Girardi said late in the season that Marte had become fatigued by a heavier-than-anticipated workload upon arriving in the trade from the Pirates, which may have skewed his numbers somewhat.
It remains likely that the Yankees will offer arbitration to Marte, a Type A free agent, so they would garner a compensatory Draft selection if he signs with another club. Cashman has also not ruled out the idea that Marte could return to the Bombers' bullpen.
First baseman Jason Giambi and right-hander Carl Pavano also officially filed for free agency on Wednesday, one day after the Yankees declined their respective contractual options for 2009.
