Mussina cuts list to three teams

NEW YORK (AP) _ Mike Mussina hopes to decide by Friday where he'll pitch next year, and he has already trimmed his list to three teams. <br><br>Mussina, the top pitcher on the free-agent market, has

Tuesday, November 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Mike Mussina hopes to decide by Friday where he'll pitch next year, and he has already trimmed his list to three teams.

Mussina, the top pitcher on the free-agent market, has been highly sought after and is likely to become the first premier free agent to sign this offseason.

His agent, Arn Tellem, disclosed the narrowing of the field Monday, but did not specify which teams are still other consideration.

``We're moving along,'' Tellem said. ``We're hoping to make a decision this week.''

The New York Yankees have made signing Mussina their No. 1 priority of the offseason, The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians also have sought Mussina, and the Baltimore Orioles have tried to re-sign the ace of their staff.

Tellem wouldn't say whether Mussina still was considering a return to Baltimore. The New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals also expressed interest.

``His decision will not be made on the money,'' Tellem said. ``Some may offer more years, some may offer less. Some may offer a no-trade clause. It's based on comfort and what he thinks is best for. It's all about baseball. Location is a factor.''

Mussina, who turns 32 next month, has a 147-81 career record after going 11-15 with a 3.79 ERA for the Orioles last season.

He lives in Montoursville, Pa. _ a 3-hour, 45-minute drive to New York and a 5 1/2-hour drive to Cleveland.

Tellem said Mussina was weighing several baseball-related factors.

``I'd say winning, the baseball organization, the players and the team chemistry with the players he'll be playing with,'' Tellem said.

With the Indians, Mussina would be the clear staff ace. Boston already has Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez in that role. With the Yankees, he would be on what manager Joe Torre calls a ``staff of No. 1s,'' joining Roger Clemens, Orlando Hernandez and Andy Pettitte.

Several Yankees players have called Mussina, telling them how much they want him to join their team and trying to reassure him that New York City is more than Manhattan.

Most Yankees live in the suburbs in northern New Jersey and Westchester, a short drive from Yankee Stadium in midafternoon. Tellem has said Mussina is amenable to pitching in a large city.