Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 08, 2009 
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Jesus Montero is determined to be a catcher despite size that could dictate otherwise. Tony Pena and Joe Girardi think he will succeed.
As Alex Rodriguez tries to decide what his next step is, the Yankees could be looking at Mark Teahen. This notebook also has updates on Chien-Ming Wang, Jason Johnson, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada.
Pete,
Does Montero speak english and if so, how well?
“It comes down to Alex. What he feels is best,” Manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s a tough decision no matter what.”
Rodriguez did some light swinging and fielded grounders in Colorado where he is being examined, and afterward said he felt better.
The tests he underwent Friday were designed to determine strength and flexibility after a cyst in the hip was drained Wednesday.”
from LA Times
Mark Teahen isn’t the answer,not a good fielder & just a fair bat….go get Figgins
To Joeman;
Let’s go after Figgins and give them a bunch of guys, when you could go after teahen and just give them a couple of pitchers. The Angel would try to hold us ‘Ransom’ for Chone. I understand that Figgins could work other positions, but just relax.
It seems like it would be a good idea to nurture the talent we have at catcher, instead of trading it away. We held on to Posada, and look how that worked out – an all-star catcher for 10-15 years. While you have a manager and coach who were successful catchers on the staff, take advantage of it.
Uh, Posada was an AS only five years, and he only played 100 games or more 10 times. Obviously it’s good that they kept him, but let’s not go crazy on what he did.
I’m not too high on Teahen. I might be in the minority, but I think the genius of Mr. Bill E. Beane and “Moneyball” was turning a blind eye to performance enhancing drugs in the A’s system.
As for Montero, what’s a better investment; 10 years and 120 games a year as an elite catcher, or 15+ years and 500+ at-bats a year as an elite DH?
In addition, I think that Mariano Rivera is like Benjamin Button and is actually decreasing in age.