Yankees Get Good Vibes From Mussina

After meeting with pitcher Mike Mussina’s agent Wednesday, New York Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman came away convinced the right-hander would be willing to play in New York.

“I think their interest is sincere,” Cashman said. “What that will translate into is hard to say. But I think they’re sincerely interested. We’re not being jerked around.”

Mussina, a free agent who has played his entire 10-year career with the Baltimore Orioles, has indicated in the past that he would rather not play in New York. But agent Arn Tellem has said that is no longer the case.

Mussina, one of the top two free-agent pitchers this off-season, is also being targeted by the New York Mets, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Tellem met with Met General Manager Steve Phillips on Tuesday.

It probably will take at least $14 million a year to sign Mussina, and the 31-year-old pitcher is looking for at least a six-year deal.

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Utility player Andy Fox signed a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins.

Fox, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Danny Bautista in June, hit .244 with three home runs and 10 runs batted in in 69 games with the Marlins last season.

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The Dodgers announced that all ticket prices for next season will remain the same as last season. . . . Former Milwaukee Brewer catcher Dave Nilsson has received contract offers from four teams and expects to decide this week where he’ll play in 2001, his agent said. Agent Alan Nero said Nilsson is considering offers from the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians and Oakland Athletics. Nero said the Red Sox were the first team to make a second and final proposal. Nilsson is looking for a two-year contract. . . . Infielder Andy Sheets, right-handed pitcher Jim Pittsley and catcher Yohanny Valera agreed to minor-league contracts with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and will be invited to major league spring training. . . . Kevin Hallinan, baseball’s head of security, was promoted to senior vice president of security and facilities management. Hallinan has been responsible for establishing and directing all of major league baseball’s security policies, procedures and programs since 1986.