Mussina race apparently down to Yankees, Red Sox and Mets

NEW YORK (AP) _ Mike Mussina apparently has narrowed his list of teams to the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. And it seems as if he won't re-sign with Baltimore. <br><br>Arn Tellem,

Wednesday, November 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Mike Mussina apparently has narrowed his list of teams to the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. And it seems as if he won't re-sign with Baltimore.

Arn Tellem, the agent for the right-hander, said Monday his client cut his list of teams under consideration to three, and the Red Sox and the New York teams said Tuesday they still were in contention.

The Yankees think they are the favorites, but the Red Sox and Mets believe they still have a chance.

``I wouldn't handicap them other than to say we've made a very substantial and aggressive financial offer,'' Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette said Tuesday.

Tellem said Mussina, the most sought-after pitcher on the free-agent market, hopes to make a decision by the end of the week. Neither Tellem nor Orioles owner Peter Angelos could be contacted Tuesday.

The Yankees wouldn't comment _ owner George Steinbrenner has imposed a gag order on his employees _ but a high-ranking baseball official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they were negotiating with Tellem.

Yankees manager Joe Torre has made clear that signing Mussina is his No. 1 priority, and several of his players have called the pitcher, telling him why he should join the three-time World Series champions.

``We've had our share of people put in the appropriate recruiting phone calls,'' Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. ``Mike Mussina has probably talked to more of his opponents in the last two weeks than he's probably talked to in his long career.''

Mussina, 32 on Dec. 8, is 147-81 in his career after going 11-15 with a 3.79 ERA for the Orioles last season. Like the New York teams, the Red Sox have tried to convince him he's best off with them.

``Yes, some of our players and staff have talked to Mike about the merits of playing in Boston,'' Duquette said.

While Mussina has spent his entire career with Baltimore, the Mets feel they have an advantage if he's looking to make a major change.

``We are the only National League team, I guess, in the pool,'' Phillips said. ``If he's looking for change that includes change of leagues, we have a pretty good shot, given that we're the only National League team.''