When Placido Polanco gathered up Robinson Cano's weak groundball and lobbed it to Sean Casey, the New York Yankees season came to an all-too-early end. The team that was supposed to show the lowly Tigers why they didn't belong on FOX in October had been pounded into oblivion.
It has now been four weeks since the Bombers won Game 1 of the Detroit series and had every sports analyst in the country talking sweep. Joe Torre must have listened, because he would later admit that his decision to start Jaret Wright in Game 4 was based largely on the fact that he hadn't planned on needing a Game 4 starter. Astounding shortsightedness aside, the truth is that Wright should never have been in the position of HAVING to win Game 4, and Torre should never have had to put him there. In fact, laying blame with either of those two only obscures the actual fact of the matter:
It's all Mike Mussina's fault.
In reviewing the series, it's hard to deny that the turning point was Moose's miserable Game 2 performance. After Johnny Damon hit the upper deck in Yankee Stadium, Mussina took the mound and methodically handed the game to the Tigers: first some hits, then some runs, then the lead, then the win. En route to the loss, the veteran showed an uncanny ability to give up double after double after double — and Torre showed far too much deference in refusing to give the old guy the hook.
Now, it would be one thing if Mussina hadn't blown big postseason games in the past, or had recently put together a solid championship run with the Yankees...but that is by no means the case. Moose came to the Yankees in 2001, the year the World Series streak came to an end. Sure, he's 92-53 with a 3.85 ERA in six REGULAR seasons with the Yankees, and has made at least 27 starts in each of those years. His numbers in the PLAYOFFS, unfortunately, tell a different story: 5-7 with a 4.87 ERA. Not exactly the stuff of October legend.
Mussina made $19 million in 2006, the most of any pitcher on the team and the fourth-highest among all Yankees. Ther club has an option on him for 2007, and therein lies the question:
If you're Brian Cashman, do you pick up the Moose for 2007?
The answer has got to be an emphatic NO. Not a chance. Mussina's postseason blunders are reason enough to let him go, but there's more than just that. Think of it like this:
Mussina will be 38 years old in December, and the last thing the Yankees need is another pitcher on the cusp of retirement. More to the point, with the possible return of Carl Pavano, the likely emergence of Philip Hughes, and the potential availability of Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt on the free agent market, the Yankees don't need another pitcher, period — especially not one with a knack for falling flat in big games. And that's to say nothing of the possible departures of Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield. At this point, Moose's $19 million in 2007 is money that would be far better spent on high-price prospects or big-name pickups.
The Yankees annual "Win At All Costs" campaign is going to be more urgent than ever this winter after the diasappointing end to 2006. It's a safe bet that Cashman and Co. will look to throw millions at Zito, and will turn to Schmidt as a second choice if Barry goes to Queens or Boston. More pressingly, the Yanks need to put together a team — a real team — like they had from 1996 to 2001. The money and the roster space have got to come from somewhere. As I see it, there's only one option on the table, and it doesn't belong to an over-the-hill righty.
Sorry Moose. It's time for the Bombers to cut you loose.
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about 1 year ago
The Moose may have had a bad game or two, but he showed consistency. Some of the games he lost during the regular season were because of fatal errors committed by A.Rod. The Yankees shouldn't take the option, but should try and sign him for a lot less. He is still a good veteran pitcher who could help the younger ones become better.
about 1 year ago
i agree
let the moose loose
give young hughes a chance
jon
about 1 year ago
I cannot believe you have the audacity to claim his performance in game two was horrible. 4 runs in seven innings?? yeah thats horrendous... how does he even sleep at night. Mike Mussina has been one of the games best pitchers over the past ten years and he is not showing any sign of slowing down. He led the Yankee staff in ERA this year... but we should let him go right!!??? How insane are you really?? Post season blunders??? Apparently you did not watch his 2001 post season... or his relief appearance in game 7 2003... that pretty much sent the Yankees to the WS... Mussina is an asset to this team and to the young up and coming pitchers like Hughes... who is not ready for the majors this year... Who would you replace him with?? He is in the top ten in many pitching categories in the American League... in a tough division... He has won ten games or more 15 years in a row... in fact this year he won 15 for the Yankees... for a 38 year old finese pitcher that isn't too shabby!!!!
about 1 year ago
I notice that you gave his post season stas as 5-7 4.87... hmmm someone did not do enough research I'm afraid. He is 7-8 3.40... Where the hell did you find your stats?? You might want to check out Yankees.com for some accurate info... oh and another thing... I think it is humorous that you think Hughes will be in the rotation next year when Cashman clearly states he will not... likely emergence of Hughes you say... I think not... nothing like bringing up a pitcher when he isn't ready
about 1 year ago
To Lauren...it is clearly stated that the 5-7 4.87 is his numbers with the Yankees in the playoffs. The research is therefore flawless and maybe you should check Yankees.com for accurate information or read the article correctly. Also, on the Hughes note, Brian Cashman said he has not ruled out the idea of Hughes joining the rotation though it will likely occur at some point during the season rather than before.
4 months ago
But without that 92-53 record would the Yankees had even made it to the playoffs? Moose has been in the league since 1991 and getting to the end, but he stills gives you his heart everytime he pitches. Come playoff time people always want to ditch the one's who got them there. I seem to remember ARod almost being chased out of NY last season too
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