Mike Mussina was available. I picked up Andy Sonnanstine.

Mike Mussina was available. I picked up Dana Eveland.

Mike Mussina was available. I picked up Kevin Slowey.

Milke Mussina is still available.

Why not pick up Mussina (17.8% owned in ESPN leagues) when he’s pitching well for a team that should generate wins? Why not pick up Tom Glavine (11% owned)? Because these guys are history. Literally. When Mussina broke into the big leagues, Orioles teammate Cal Ripken was almost five full seasons from breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record. When Glavine was called up to the Braves, his teammates included Doyle Alexander, Phil Niekro, and Ken Griffey. Senior.

Despite a great 2006 season, Mussina has a 4.36 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over the last five seasons. His strikeouts per 9 IP declined from over 7 in 2004 – 2006, to 5.4 in 2007 and 4.2 so far this season.

But declining skills are not the issue. The issue is minimal upside. At the end of the season, I don’t want my fifth starter to be a predictable veteran. I want my fifth starter to be another Fausto Carmona – the pitcher last year’s Mynci champions signed on July 2, 2007. That means keep gambling.