Does Mike Mussina Suck?

So after watching part of last nights game, I have come to the conclusion that Mike Mussina officially blows. He is no longer a premiere, top of the rotation starting pitcher. I think he is at best a lower tier, bottom of the order pitcher who is coming to the end of a mostly mediocre career.

I came across a new blog (to me), called Was Watching, who was also asking the same questions:

Since August 1, 2006, and to date, batters are hitting .294/.327/.454 against Mike Mussina (in 313 AB).

From April 2006 through month-end July 2006, batters hit .227/.268/.363 against Moose (in 564 AB).

Clearly, since August 2006, Mike Mussina has not been the same pitcher that he was during the first half of last season. This begs the following questions:

If Clemens joins the Yankees and pitches well, and if Clippard/DeSalvo/Hughes do a decent job in the rotation (in addition to Wang, Pettitte and Clemens), and if Moose continues to pitch this poorly, does Mike Mussina then become the fifth man in the Yankees rotation (when they line-up again after the All-Star break)?

Further, if Mike Mussina pitches his way into being the 5th-worst starter on the Yankees staff, and if the Yankees make the post-season this year, should the Yankees remove Moose from the rotation in the post-season?

Back in October of 2006, I was against the Yankees re-signing Mussina. When Mussina signed with the Yankees, I was OK with it from a money standpoint. Looking at the numbers now, I'm beginning to wonder if I was right the first time and wrong on the second one.

I would say that if Moose is the 5th best Yankee starter (or worse) come August or September, which is not a stretch, that he either should be used out of the bullpen for long relief or perhaps left off the playoff roster altogether if he is unable to work out of the bullpen. I also might suggest is if it is looking like this is a possibility after the All-Star break and if 2 of these 3 (Clippard/DeSalvo/Hughes) perform above expectations, then perhaps Mussina is sent packing to the ben earlier to see if can even perform in that role.

Though The Soul of Baseball believes he is on the cusp of the Hall of Fame, though he thinks the writers won't vote him and I think he is a definite reach and not deserving of a plaque in Cooperstown.

Mike Mussina. Maybe I'm underestimating Moose ... if he can put together another good season or two, he's definitely on the Hall of Fame cusp. Is that the right word: Cusp? He has 241 victories and 2,600 strikeouts, so could certainly still get his numbers up there in Hall of Fame territory. His number one comp right now is Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. ... But for some reason, I just think he will fall short. He's never won 20, never come particularly close to winner a Cy Young Award (he did finish second in 1999, but Pedro got all 28 votes that year) and despite the dazzling winning percentage and six Gold Gloves, I just don't think most writers view him as a Hall of Famer. We'll see, I guess.