Bill Mueller to Sign With Dodgers

According to this report - Bill Mueller will be signing a two-year deal with the Dodgers. In a way this is a surprise but for someone who has watched Bill Mueller these past few years - its also not surprising.

It is somewhat of a surprise because Pittsburgh was reported to have offered a three-year deal. It is highly unusual for a professional athlete to give up a bigger, longer contract for a shorter one. It is also surprising because Mueller is from Missouri and playing in Pittsburgh would put him closer to family.

It is not surprising because Mueller is a man with priorities. Obviously he feels comfortable with Grady Little who he played for in Boston and Ned Colletti who was in management in San Fran back when Mueller was with the Giants. Mueller also strikes you as the kind of guy who knows he can only waterski behind so many yachts (if you know what I mean).

I do have to take exception to this paragraph from the linked report:

Because of his age, Boston did not want to make a long-term commitment to Mueller, electing to part ways with the professional hitter and clubhouse presence.

Boston basically parted ways because they acquired Mike Lowell in the Josh Beckett trade and their hand was forced. It would not have been too surprising to have seen Mueller back at third next year with Kevin Youkilis at first base otherwise.

Red Sox fans will never forget that Mueller easily could have been MVP of the 2004 World series. He hit .429 for the Series with an OPS of 1.127. His hit off Mariano Rivera in Game 4 of the ALCS may have been the biggest hit in Red Sox history.

May the road rise to meet you Bill Mueller.