New York Yankees' Mike Mussina: The Moose Must Be Cut Loose

"Mike Mussina had a terrible 2007 campaign during which he went 11-10 with a hefty 5.15 ERA and, at some points, found himself dropped from the rotation. The Moose has earned his spot back, but his stay as a starter will be determined by his ability to put batters away once he has two strikes on them."

That's what I wrote in my Yankees season preview on March 26. Of the 11 Boston batters Mussina got two strikes on Thursday night, four of them got hits (including a mammoth home run by Manny Ramirez) and the Moose hit another two of them with a pitch. He struck out just one of those 11 hitters.

In fact, Mussina has struck out just seven batters in 20.1 innings this season.

This is not the same Mike Mussina who went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA two years ago.  The new Moose lacks the velocity on his fastball and the location on his curve to get hitters to swing and miss.

During the game last night, the Yankees announcer said that entering Thursday, batters had only whiffed on three percent of Mussina's pitches, the lowest mark in the majors. Here's something else I wrote in my preview on March 26:

"I would put Chamberlain in the rotation in place of Mussina, who I don't believe will be able to do a whole lot better than last year."

The Moose is now 1-3 with a 5.75 ERA and needs to be dropped from the rotation as soon as Joba returns from being with his ailing father. Over his last 32 appearances (31 starts), Mussina is 12-13 with a 5.22 ERA. It's time for a change.

Here are a list of grades for members of the Yankees in yesterday's 7-5 loss to Boston. 

Joe Girardi, Manager: (D-) I'm amending the "If Girardi puts Farnsworth in the game, he loses a whole letter grade" rule to the "If Girardi puts Farnsworth or Giambi in the game, he loses a whole letter grade" rule.

Johnny Damon, LF: (C) 1-4 with a run, a double and two strikeouts.

Derek Jeter, SS: (C+) 1-4 with a run and two RBIs.

Bobby Abreu, RF: (A) 2-4 with a double, an RBI and a K.

Alex Rodriguez, 3B: (C-) 1-4.

Jason Giambi, 1B: (F) 0-4, two strikeouts, two men left on base, average down to .125, Yankees are 5-8 when he plays, 4-0 when he doesn't...still batting fifth.  Someone please explain this to me.

Jorge Posada, C: (C) 1-4 with a double, a run, a strikeout and two left on.

Robinson Cano, 2B: (D+)  His struggles continue. 0-4 with an RBI.

Melky Cabrera, CF: (A+)  At least someone had a great game. 2-3 with a solo homer and a walk.

Chad Moeller, C: (F)  0-3 with a throwing error. I guess that's bound to happen once in a while when you're the third-string catcher.

Hideki Matsui, PH: (INC)  Struck out looking against Papelbon in the ninth.

Mike Mussina, SP: (F) And he continues to stubbornly pitch to Ramirez who now has three home runs off him in his last two starts.

Jonathan Albaladejo, RP: (D-) Gave up two runs but at least he chewed up some innings.

Kyle Farnsworth, RP: (A)  I've said it before, I'll say it again, he is the master of pitching with a four run deficit.

Billy Traber, RP: (A)  Wow, the lefty specialist can get out more than just lefties? Who knew? Are we sure this is allowed?

Overall Yankees Grade: (C)  Five runs against Beckett and Papelbon is pretty good.

Too bad Mussina was pitching.