Posada on the way back to majors
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 28, 2009 
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Jorge Posada played six inning in an extended spring training game today in Dunedin, Fla., then said he was scheduled to fly to Cleveland to meet up with the Yankees.
Posada has been out since May 5 with a right hamstring tear. He was hitting .312 with five homers and 20 RBI.
So now you’re looking at:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Gardner CF
Good news!
Not a bad lineup at all. I’ll take it.
Look at that lineup.. 6 and 7 hitters are Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui… WOW
Cue StarWars Evil Empire theme.
that is a scary scary lineup..even with gardner it there it is fantastic
Given that Jorge is the starting Catcher, would anyone argue to keep Molina over Cervelli at this point?
hip hip Jorge!!
“Given that Jorge is the starting Catcher, would anyone argue to keep Molina over Cervelli at this point?”
* raises hand *
I hope Jorge can find a spot on the park bench.
I like this one a little better and hope it happens when Melk returns:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
CABRERA RF
Gardner CF
I love Swisher and all but he’s been absolutely brutal this month. They’ll be better defensively and Gardner’s speed brings a lot to the table. If Swish plays over Gardner, at least bat him 9th.
You keep Molina over Cervelli because he is a better player. Cervelli needs more time in the minors.
He’s done a great job here and certainly has opened eyes. However, he’s not as good a player as Molina just yet.
Gayle, Clare and GB,
Many thanks for the tips on Austin. Really looking forward to the weekend!
BTW Giants are dangling Sanchez for a middle of the order bat FWIW
It’s a good lineup. If the pitching hold up, then a championship is on the way.
Welcome back Jorge!!!
i think terry francona’s heart just skipped a beat
hip hip
Would you say keep Cash over Cervelli so he can continue to get regular at bats (in the minors) that he will no longer get in the majors when Jorge is back?
“BTW Giants are dangling Sanchez for a middle of the order bat FWIW ”
So long, Swisher.
Yippee! Lets get everyone healthy and stay that way for awhile. Go Yanks!
Posada should DH.
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
You keep Molina over Cervelli because he is a better player. Cervelli needs more time in the minors.
He’s done a great job here and certainly has opened eyes. However, he’s not as good a player as Molina just yet.
Gayle, Clare and GB,
Many thanks for the tips on Austin. Really looking forward to the weekend!
————————————————————
My pleasure, SJ. Some day, I’ll be able to give you a report on everything you ever wanted to know about Austin. I’d have to visit there, first.
Just kidding, I’ve lived there off and on for almost 40 years and have two sons that live there. I also have an angry ex-wife, so don’t tell here that you know where I am.
great news on posada
why no news on melky? anyone hear anything?
Molina is not a better player than Cervelli.
Molina is NOT a better player than Cervelli.
If we get the Melkman back healthy, we’re an unbelievable lineup.
Swish needs to be out.
“Would you say keep Cash over Cervelli so he can continue to get regular at bats (in the minors) that he will no longer get in the majors when Jorge is back?”
No way. I don’t care for Cash, despite his visit to the mound to calm down AJ.
don’t tell here there
Correction: don’t tell ***her*** that
“Posada should DH”
Maybe next year. Right now Matsui is clogging that DH spot. If Matsui wasn’t here you could rotate DHs.
At this juncture, Cano is better protection for A-Rod than Posada is.
“Molina is NOT a better player than Cervelli.”
Um, yes he is. Cervelli has been a nice breath of fresh air, but Molina is a better catcher. Ask the pitchers who they want to back up Jorge and I guarantee you they ALL say Molina.
As long as Gardner is hitting .270-.280 in that lineup, he’s of great value to NYY.
I would have it this way, the entire line up would be either r/l or switch from 1-9:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Gardner CF
I like Cervelli better than Molina. Heck I like anyone better than Molina.
But I think it would be better for Cervelli to be playing regularly in the minors at this time instead of sitting on the bench.
Trevor
Maybe next year. Right now Matsui is clogging that DH spot. If Matsui wasn’t here you could rotate DHs.
__
I question whether Posada can stay healthy catching more than three times a week.
Matsui, despite his 2 HRs last night, is in decline.
They can’t let payroll dictate their lineup.
J-Boogie
May 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I like this one a little better and hope it happens when Melk returns:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
CABRERA RF
Gardner CF
I agree completely. Gardner has just been a better player since being benched and when he gets on base he’s more than likely going to swipe a base or two, especially on a bad catcher. I like the things Swisher is doing for the Yankees clubhouse spirit but he definitley needs to rest or be benched in favor for GGBG.
Wonder what’s going to happen when A-Jax is ready???
Posada is a great hitter. He should protect A-Rod. Cano is good, but he doesn’t have Jorge’s power.
Off topic but related: Posada is the only hitter I know who got better as he got older.
Joe, I love that lineup.
Trade Matsui for Jonathan Sanchez
“I like Cervelli better than Molina. Heck I like anyone better than Molina.”
Why, Bob? Molina is a better defensive catcher than Posada is. Yes, he sucks big time offensively, but you can’t deny that he’s a good catcher.
YESS!!! NOW ALL WE NEED IS MELY BACK…and HOPEFULLY NADY to go back to what he used to be…so they can switch around the five outfielders… I think they should just do a DH duo of Matsui and nady…
ANY WORD ON MELY !!! 5 days??
Mark21
May 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Trade Matsui for Jonathan Sanchez
——————–
Excellent idea. Maybe if we throw in Berroa they’ll give us Lincecum too.
Molina is a better player than Cervelli. Don’t let small sample sizes sway you.
He is a kid who needs work. He’s far from a finished product.
He isn’t as good defensively as Molina, and doesn’t yet handle pitchers as well.
Potential? Absolutely. Better than a guy with 10+ years of experience who should have won the Gold Glove last year? Not even close.
GB,
I’ll come into town on the down low. I won’t tell her where you lurk!
Laura – Win together, strike out alone!
Um, yes he is. Cervelli has been a nice breath of fresh air, but Molina is a better catcher. Ask the pitchers who they want to back up Jorge and I guarantee you they ALL say Molina.
_
Um? Really? Um?
Cervelli’s youth, quickness, and athleticism make a him a better defensive catcher; he has a quicker release and he blocks pitches in the dirt better; and he is clearly better offensively.
According to all reports, these same pitchers don’t want to throw to Posada. Do you think that really matters? Nope.
No matter how many times you say it, Molina is not better. Sample size is not as important as the manifest facts.
Laura – Win together, strike out alone!
May 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
“I like Cervelli better than Molina. Heck I like anyone better than Molina.”
Why, Bob? Molina is a better defensive catcher than Posada is. Yes, he sucks big time offensively, but you can’t deny that he’s a good catcher.
————————–
Because whatever marginal defensive benfit there is to playing Molina, it is far outweighed by his total ineptness at the plate. He gives away far more runs with his bat than he saves with his defense.
Cleveland’s bullpen is going to be wrecked for this series. They’ve had to go to the pen for
7.2 innings on Monday
2 innings on Tuesday
5 innings on Wednesday
And atleast 5 more today
Work the count!
“Excellent idea. Maybe if we throw in Berroa they’ll give us Lincecum too.”
Great, although I think we need to sweeten the pot with Veras as well. That will get that deal done.
“Molina is NOT a better player than Cervelli.”
Oh, OK… thanks for letting me know.
The question is does Cash have any options remaining? If so then you can send him back to SWB and hang onto Cervelli until Molina returns. If he doesn’t, then Frankie goes back to AA/AAA and can be easily recalled if someone goes on the 15 day DL.
Cervelli has shown to be an excellent defensive catcher.
Cervelli is going to get sent down, he’s got options and needs to get reps. You can make him the backup next year when he’s proved himself for a full year at AAA and the majors
I would like to see them keep Cervelli on the roster so he can catch 2-3 times a week and Posada can DH those days. I highly doubt they will do it but it would improve the defense behind the plate and keep Posada healthy. At least the Yanks know what they have with Cervelli and maybe Hughes for next season. It will make them better and save them $7m+ keeping Cervelli and Hughes over Molina and Pettitte.
“Excellent idea. Maybe if we throw in Berroa they’ll give us Lincecum too.”
throw in Molina/Swish for Bumgardner
I say keep 3 catchers.
From MLBTradeRumors.com: The Giants seek a middle-of-the-order bat, and Jonathan Sanchez is being dangled. Three targets they haven’t had success on are Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, and possibly Carlos Lee. Lee, according to one Stark source, doesn’t intend to waive his no-trade for anyone.
If they are asking for Uggla, Cantu and/or Lee, I don’t think Swisher or Matsui gets it done for Sanchez.
Bob, don’t think Cervelli will keep this up. He almost certainly won’t.
“Another fan
Off topic but related: Posada is the only hitter I know who got better as he got older.”
Really? I can think of a few others. The keyword(s) with Posada are “(presumably) clean”.
I would be willing to trade Nady to SF for Brian Wilson to be our 8th inning man
If they want someone like Veras or Edwar, I would throw them in too
“No matter how many times you say it, Molina is not better. Sample size is not as important as the manifest facts.”
Richie, we will have to agree to disagree (although I know I’m right).
good thing Molina doesn’t read this blog, man some people have short memories
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion between Cervelli and Molina. Some folks here are so convinced their views are gospel that it takes the joy out of healthy debate.
You aren’t spouting manifest facts. You are spouting fan babble based on a limited sample size.
Molina blocks balls better, frames pitches better and throws better than Cervelli.
Cervelli runs faster than Molina. He has hit a little in limited time. However, over more consistent playing time, his bat would level off.
He’s better suited to play everyday in AAA or AA and continue to work on his game.
He’s not a better catcher than Jose Molina at this time in their respective careers. Especially defensively.
” I also have an angry ex-wife, so don’t tell here that you know where I am.”
do all your ex-s live in Texas?
(sorry, couldn’t resist)
SJ44,
Just getting back. From prior threads re: Austin dining – you can go just about anywhere in Austin in casual clothes – this is not a formal town, and everyone dresses for the weather.
For funky, try Magnolia Cafe (on Congress) or Kirby Lane (on Lamar). Good breakfasts, open 24 hours, and both the epitome of the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. Good food too.
Yeah Mike. Presumably clean players.
Another fan
May 28th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Bob, don’t think Cervelli will keep this up. He almost certainly won’t.
———————–
Of course not. He doesn’t project to be much of a hitter. But he still has much more going for him than the human sloth, Molina who is probably one of the 10 worst hitters in baseball the last 25 years.
Uh oh… with Posada back the Yankees will probably hit even more home runs.
“I would be willing to trade Nady to SF for Brian Wilson to be our 8th inning man”
Why would SF want Nady, who is injured and probably can only hit and not field?
Well Bob, I actually would keep Cervelli because of what you said, his speed.
Molina may be the only person on the planet slower than Posada.
“At this juncture, Cano is better protection for A-Rod than Posada is.”
Yeah, right. Walk A-Rod and get Cano to pop up after one pitch. He can’t protect, he’s belongs in the bottom of the order.
Looking forward to Posada returning.
Matsui has a no trade clause. He’s not exercising it to sit on the bench on a NL team because his knees don’t allow him to play everyday in the field.
“Um? Really? Um?
Cervelli’s youth, quickness, and athleticism make a him a better defensive catcher; he has a quicker release and he blocks pitches in the dirt better; and he is clearly better offensively.
According to all reports, these same pitchers don’t want to throw to Posada. Do you think that really matters? Nope.”
:snort:
Small sample sizes FTW!
I swear – Yankees’ fans are so ‘what have you done for me lately’. In April, Swisher was an All Star. Now, he should be benched permanently.
Cervelli is not better than Molina… YET. He may be in time, but is not YET.
SJ here is my final list for Austin recommendations just sent to me by my friend who is down there. GB and Laura probably have others lol
Iron Cactus on 6th street has a pretty damn good brunch. Also, there is a place on 2nd street called Malaga (more Spanish style) that has a pretty good brunch. If you don’t care about it being downtown, there is a place on
North Loop near Burnet Road called Fonda San Miguel that is supposed to have a KILLLER brunch. (it’s mexican). Now, if you’re just looking for a Good Tex mex spot downtown, you should try Manuels on Congress near 2nd street. Lastly, if you want a good “texas style” resteraunt with
alot of southern and spanish influence, you should try Ranch 616.
“Off topic but related: Posada is the only hitter I know who got better as he got older.”
SHHHHHHHHH… are you crazy?! Gotta keep that on the down-low! Don’t need to start spreading rumors (that may or may not be true).
Someone Else, you’re right.
That’s great Clare, thanks.
That’s kind of what I’m looking for this weekend. Places that are more local-centric.
Don’t forget the Giants are the geniuses who traded Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser for A.J. Pierzynski.
Francessa being exposed for being a closet BOS fan. LMAO!
Shut up with the Matsui trade talk. It’s stupid. No body is going to give you anything for him.
Someone Else
No, some Yankee fans have watched mL games for years and can actually assess talent.
vin, he didn’t hit 300 until 07′.
“”You keep Molina over Cervelli because he is a better player. Cervelli needs more time in the minors.
He’s done a great job here and certainly has opened eyes. However, he’s not as good a player as Molina just yet.”"
———————————————————
Agreed!!! Cervelli has options and Molina doesn’t. If they try to slip Molina through waivers I suspect the Yanks will lose him.
I can envision a September callup for Cervelli. Next year is a totally different story. This is the last year of Jose Molina’s two year contract. I doubt the Yankees would re-sign him with Cervelli around. So I would expect Cervelli to be Posada’s backup next year.
Please Alex from Bedminster take another shot today, it’s so easy.
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
GB,
I’ll come into town on the down low. I won’t tell her where you lurk!
————————————————————
That’s good, because she’s told me many times that she was just after my body.
It wasn’t until years later, it was with the intent to sell it to the UT medical department. She’s always carried a grudge that I cheated her out of $10.
Matsui can be the Yankees’ Lenny Harris or Manny Mota.
jpb1973
May 28th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
If they try to slip Molina through waivers I suspect the Yanks will lose him.
————
Right because teams are just dying to pick up non hitting, breaking down catchers getting paid $2 Mil.
Molina can be the 3rd catcher.
Thanks Gayle. I appreciate it.
Someone else…
Exactly.
You can’t take away what Molina brings to the table. He is a great gamecaller, pitchers love throwing to him, and his experience as a backup allow him to know how to prepare for playing sporadically.
Young guys like Cervelli need to play. That’s how you get better.
By playing everyday in the minors, and taking what he has learned in his short time in NY and applying it, he will put himself in a better position to make the team as the backup catcher next year.
To do it now? Not the right time for him or for the team.
It would hurt, and hot help, his growth and development as a player.
“Please Alex from Bedminster take another shot today, it’s so easy.”
you know, i sent that clip to my father (who is a joba to the pen guy and francessa supporter
). his response to the clip was, “Wow, you don’t know that Alex guy do you?” 
Joel Sherman wrote an excellent article about how it is no coincidence our pitching and fielding have been so clean since Posada has been out. Cervelli/Cash call great games, frame pitches, block balls, etc.
We’re going to miss that element when Posada comes back.
Molina is not better at baseball than Cervelli is. Cervelli is a better, more athletic defender, has better at bats, runs better on the bases, throws just as well. The only edge Molina has is a little power, but that is more than overwhelmed by the everything else that Cervelli does better.
“do all your ex-s live in Texas?
(sorry, couldn’t resist)”
My favorite country song!
“I swear – Yankees’ fans are so ‘what have you done for me lately’. In April, Swisher was an All Star. Now, he should be benched permanently.”
What about when many here were clamoring for Molina to be the full-time catcher this year because of his percevied excellent game calling. Not to mention that last year, Molina went from being maligned to loved about 20 times.
No love for Molina on this blog today. Poor Josie.
Has Mike from Montclair commented on Joba at all yet?
Yeah Rolex, I don’t buy that for a single moment.
vin
May 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
“do all your ex-s live in Texas?
(sorry, couldn’t resist)”
My favorite country song!
“I swear – Yankees’ fans are so ‘what have you done for me lately’. In April, Swisher was an All Star. Now, he should be benched permanently.”
What about when many here were clamoring for Molina to be the full-time catcher this year because of his percevied excellent game calling. Not to mention that last year, Molina went from being maligned to loved about 20 times.
————————————————————
Only half of them. The other half live in Georgia.
SJ,
not sure if anyone mentioned Juan In A Million.
http://www.juaninamillion.com/
“Molina is not better at baseball than Cervelli is. ”
Guys, think about what you are saying. You are claiming that a guy who has been in the majors for years (and has a WS ring by the way) is not as good as a guy who has been in the bigs for all of 5 seconds? You actually think that the ML experience that Molina has gained over the years isn’t more valuable than Cervelli’s supposed speed? Really?
If they try to slip Molina through waivers I suspect the Yanks will lose him.
——————
Right because teams are just dying to pick up non hitting, breaking down catchers getting paid $2 Mil.
———————————————————-
There aren’t many backup catchers as good as Molina. Someone would pick him up. And is salary is less than $2 Million now because 30% of the season is gone.
Tom Hicks is selling majority share of the Rangers.
Mark Cuban would be an interesting option.
MLB doesn’t seem to appreciate colorful owners but that could be a fun one to watch.
Molina defends. He can’t hit. He can’t run. Cervelli defends, can’t hit, but can run. At least late in gmes when he’s not ctching you can pinch run him.
jpb1973
May 28th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
If they try to slip Molina through waivers I suspect the Yanks will lose him.
——————
Right because teams are just dying to pick up non hitting, breaking down catchers getting paid $2 Mil.
—————————————————————————————
There aren’t many backup catchers as good as Molina. Someone would pick him up. And is salary is less than $2 Million now because 30% of the season is gone.
———————————————
Yeah, there’s only about 29 better than him.
“Joel Sherman wrote an excellent article about how it is no coincidence our pitching and fielding have been so clean since Posada has been out. Cervelli/Cash call great games, frame pitches, block balls, etc. We’re going to miss that element when Posada comes back.”
Well, we’ll find out tomorrow, won’t we?
Posada calls a fine game and frames pitches as good as anybody else I’ve seen. All we’ll miss is throwing out baserunners.
“Molina defends. He can’t hit. He can’t run. Cervelli defends, can’t hit, but can run. At least late in gmes when he’s not ctching you can pinch run him.”
But you wouldn’t. You’re not going to use your backup catcher as a pinch runner. At least I wouldn’t.
i am going to make a bold prediction and this post will serve as evidence when it comes true. bookmark it
When Hideki Matsui’s contract is up, he will sign with a Japanese team as a DH (probably his old team). He’ll do phenominal after seeing MLB pitching for so many years. He’ll also avoid the possible embarassment of a bad free agent market for those that can hit but no longer field.
am i crazy?
Why not Laura? He’s a bench guy. That’s what they’re for. If, which is unlikely, he gets hurt you have Molina and Cash.
“vin, he didn’t hit 300 until 07’.”
I know… but I’m not really sure how to respond to you.
He was a great hitter during the steroid era, and has been a great hitter during the steroid-testing era. That, to me, says that he is just one hell of a hitter. He was OUTSTANDING in 2000, 2003, and 2007 with a bunch of other really good seasons thrown in for good measure.
I really choose to believe that he is a great hitter, but I would be remiss to at least ponder his great 2007 season.
pat
May 28th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Tom Hicks is selling majority share of the Rangers.
Mark Cuban would be an interesting option.
MLB doesn’t seem to appreciate colorful owners but that could be a fun one to watch.
————————————————————
Exactly. MLB would never allow a 1970s version of george Steinbrenner or a pair od mavericks like Charlie Finley or Bill Veeck into baseball. They’d prefer vultures like Bud Selig and Jeffery Loria ruin teams.
Yeah, there’s only about 29 better than him.
——————————————–
Name them!!!!!!!
“Guys, think about what you are saying. You are claiming that a guy who has been in the majors for years (and has a WS ring by the way) is not as good as a guy who has been in the bigs for all of 5 seconds?”
I’m not getting involved in this Molina-Cervelli spat because first, Molina isn’t back yet, and second, who cares, but Laura, what you suggest is rare in fact happens all the time.
That’s sports for you.
“am i crazy?”
Yes, you are. Just like everyone else on this blog.
i want molina back as our backup.
if he comes back, stays healthy, and a situation came up where another team was willing to give us something worthwile, even if just for the rest of the season (like molina), then you can consider moving Cervelli into the back-up role… until then, i’ll take Molina
“No love for Molina on this blog today. Poor Josie.”
Just wait until Cervelli hits into a big double play, or has a passed-ball. You know the fickle nature of these people.
saucy – Yeah, I’ve had the same thought about Godzilla. I hope he can get his ring this October. That would be a great going-away present, to say the least.
vin-I guess. But he’s started off great this year and was great last year until injuries.
If he is juicing, oh well. He’s not making the HOF anyway.
As long as pitchers make a half hearted attempt at holing runners close, catchers will throw them out, including Posada….check his numbers, including this year. If pitchers don’t help them, you’re not getting runners with high powered rifles.
GB
Imagining someone telling Cuban he had to stick to slot on a player he really wanted would get a blog entry or 2.
I know it was only a month but there were some games in April where Posada and even Molina’s defense looked rough behind the plate. Posada’s defense was never great and it will just keep getting worse. Girardi wants to give Posada a lot of off days because of his shoulder then they should keep Cervelli up here. You can not play Molina often he is a pitcher with the bat. At least Cervelli gave you competitive at bats, he will learn as they go. He could take Berroa’s spot until Nady comes back.
attempt at ***holding*** runners
Posada’s shoulder injury and hamstring make it nearly impossible for the team to keep Cervelli on the 25 man roster once Molina gets back.
Posada’s health makes it very difficult to DFA molina – which is what the team would have to do to carry Cervelli as the backup long term (carrying 3 catchers for more than a brief period is very non-productive).
The primary issue on what to do with Cervelli when Molina gets back has much less to do with Cervelli or Molina than it does with Jorge’s health. That’s the bottom line.
Even when Jorge comes back there are going to be concerns with him and his health for the rest of the season (perhaps for his career given his age and the demands of catching).
Because Posada is an injury threat the Yankees really need to have Posada and 2 decent back up catchers in the organization at all times. As long as Posada is the starting catcher the ideal arrangement for the yankees is to have a good backup catcher on the 25 man roster and a decent young catcher who is major league ready stashed away at AAA. That’s the only way you can both be prepared and not have to carry 3 catchers at the major league level.
They can’t afford to outright DFA Molina. He’ll get signed in a minute. And once that happens the yankees will be in trouble again if Jorge gets hurt.
If they send Cervelli down and Posada gets hurt they can always call cervelli up again. They don’t have that luxury with Molina.
Even next year – if Posada is the starter (which he will be) it may make more sense for the yankees to keep Cervelli in AAA and sign a better backup catcher for the 25 man roster.
LOL
Francesa: I think he has what it takes to be a terrific starter, I mean a reliever !
pat
May 28th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
GB
Imagining someone telling Cuban he had to stick to slot on a player he really wanted would get a blog entry or 2.
————————————————————
“I’ll slot this if you don’t back off. I’ve also got a Cuban Missle for MLB Headquarters.”
If I were the Man In Charge I would send Cash to the minors when Posada is activated and take my chances that he is claimed on waivers. In my completely uninformed opinion Cash is not that likely to be claimed off waivers anyway and it wouldn’t be a disaster even if he was.
However, I am not the Man In Charge and I suspect they will DFA Berroa when Posada is activated and go with three catchers until they are sure of Posada. The Yanks haven’t been overly concerned with bench firepower anyway.
“Posada calls a fine game and frames pitches as good as anybody else I’ve seen.”
Frames pitches well?? Really…Have you seen a lot of catchers play?
The MLB record for consecutive errorless games is 17 (only)
Do you the Yanks have a chance at it? Clean baseball for the next 4 games seems conceivable.
Who do I have to pay to make this “Joba to the bullpen” debate go away?
Can’t wait for Posada to be back!
” I think he has what it takes to be a terrific starter, I mean reliever ”
It slipped out of his mouth for a reason. He was right the first time.
“If he is juicing, oh well. He’s not making the HOF anyway.”
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. His injuries the last two years have definitely hurt him, from a statistical standpoint. However, if he’s never associated with PEDs then his candidacy needs to be seriously considered, IMO.
Switch-hitting, WS winning, perfect game catching, durable, 5-time all-star, 5-time silver slugging catchers are hard to find.
If he could get to 2,000 hits and 300 hr, then he’s a slam-dunk… I don’t think he’ll have the longevity to make it, but we will have to wait and see.
Read RAB about what they call “B-Jobber talk” (the Joba debate).
Before we start the whole ragging on Posada’s game….he is one of a handfull of pitchers in the history of MLB to catch a perfect game. If that isn’t proof enough, please call Diet Coke and complain to him about him.
“Do you the Yanks have a chance at it? Clean baseball for the next 4 games seems conceivable.”
According to Sherman, the minute Posada gets back, we’re going to start making errors again so I don’t know.
Laura,
Think about what you are saying. Seniority does not necessarily grant greater talent. We’re not saying Cervelli is better than Jorge Posade, but we are saying that he is better than a career back-up who, though blessed with a good arm is slower than a fricking street sweeper behind the plate and on the basepaths and has a career OPS+ of 62. Do you realize how horrible that is? He’s 38% less than average at the plate, and slow on O and D. There are dozens of catchers in the minors who could come up and be better than Molina. Dozens. He’s nothing special and nothing to block a talented kid with. And with Po as the starter there will be plenty of opportunities for Cervelli to play, especially late in games and when Po is DH’ing.
vin-Maybe. I don’t see it.
The Yanks can trade Molina and still have Chris Stewart and AAA who is also better than Molina.
Forget who you think is better and what you think the Yanks OUGHT to do for a minute.
Does anyone seriously think the YANKS won’t activate Molina when he’s ready to catch and send Cervelli back to the minors? Don’t be silly. Of course they will.
new post >>>
Phil
May 28th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
The Yanks can trade Molina and still have Chris Stewart and AAA who is also better than Molina.
————————————————————
Don’t be ridiculous. Chris stewart isn’t even a better catcher than Molina’s mother.
“Think about what you are saying. Seniority does not necessarily grant greater talent.”
It’s not seniority; it’s experience. Molina isn’t better because he’s older; he’s better because he’s caught more games and handled more pitchers than Cervelli has. Think about it this way; if you needed surgery, would you want a doctor who has been doing the surgery for 15 years or a guy who just got out of medical school?
“There are dozens of catchers in the minors who could come up and be better than Molina.”
Really? Then how come we haven’t called them up? Why have we been wasting our time with the Molinas and the Falsano’s of the world? Why are we paying Molina 2mil when we could get a young guy and pay him practically nothing to be better?
“Why have we been wasting our time with the Molinas and the Falsano’s of the world? Why are we paying Molina 2mil when we could get a young guy and pay him practically nothing to be better?”
You know, that’s a darn good question…
Hey, I like Cervelli’s mesmerizing eyes as much as anyone. Again, his play has been so refreshing. However, at the end of the day, I want Molina backing up Posada. That’s just how I roll.
“Why have we been wasting our time with the Molinas and the Falsano’s of the world? Why are we paying Molina 2mil when we could get a young guy and pay him practically nothing to be better?”
“You know, that’s a darn good question…”
Of course it is. I don’t ask any other kind.
The answer is that the Yankees don’t believe that anyone in the minors is as good as Molina. I have a feeling they know more about this than we do.
I like Cervelli and think he’s a better offensive player than Molina.
But let’s not make Cervelli out into some kind of world beater.
He currently has an OPS+ of .642, OPS + of 69, and a wOBA of .277. Those are very bad offensive numbers. They are very comparable to Molina’s. Could Cervelli get better? Sure. Could he get worse? Sure.
Cervelli’s BA is .300 right now but his OBP is only .317. He just doesn’t get on base much at all.
Molina had a .720 OPS when he got hurt.
“The answer is that the Yankees don’t believe that anyone in the minors is as good as Molina.”
Right now, if you change “in the minors” to “in their minors” you are probably, sadly, correct.
If Cervelli were to be the backup for the rest of the year what do you think the chances are he could maintain his current OBP?
I like Cervelli, and am very happy and grateful for what he’s done so far, but my guess is, not likely.
Alex from bedminster is on the cell lol
I can’t believe the harshing on Molina! He’s been a good backup catcher and I seem to remember him hitting a few game winning hits, too. He calls a great game AND the pitchers like him. Cervelli has been playing above his head so far, and I hate to see what happens on this board when he comes back to earth. He needs to get regular playing time in the minors this year and fight for the backup job next spring. IF he keeps developing, he MIGHT be Posada’s replacement in 2 years when Jorge can’t catch any longer.
Molina’s flat out not better. And you can’t find a single metric to show he is. Oh, and though I didn’t mean there were dozens of better catchers in the Yankees minor league system (though there are several who will be much better) there are certainly dozens in the minor league through baseball who could come up, catch pitches, throw some people out and do better that an OPS+ of 62. Chris Stewart at AAA is probably one of them.
CB,
Molina walked in the minors, and will eventually take his walks in the majors, this has been a whirlwind for him, so let him settle in.
CB,
I have a headache, obviously, I meant that Cervelli walked in the minors and will eventually do the same in the majors.
Molina is an excellent defensive catcher. We all know he cannot hit. He should be Posada’s back-up.
What NL team wants Matsui? He can’t play the OF. He could only pinch hit and no team will pay his salary for that.
Who is the Yanks 4th outfielder? If someone gets hurt, who replaces him?
Phil,
Like I said – I do think Cervelli is likely to be a better offensive player than Molina (granted – that’s not saying much…)
But nearly all of his capacity to get on base in the majors so far has been contingent on his batting average. He’s shown limited ability to hit for any power so he’s not likely to draw a lot of walks.
Those are concerns that make his success over a small sample of at bats something one needs to take into consideration.
And to me this is the bottom line – the issue of Cervelli vs. Molina is not the issue. The main issue is given Posada’s health what is the best way for the yankees to stratify their risk at catching for this season – to DFA/trade Molina and keep Cervelli or to keep Molina and have Cervelli still in the organization at AAA should Jorge get hurt again.
I agree that Molina is a terrible offensive player. But most of your arguments suggest that Molina should not even be in the major leagues never mind on the yankees. I don’t think the team agrees with that at all. He’s ok as a backup catcher – though he’s a liability as a backup catcher to posada due to Jorge’s injury history.
IMO is Jorge is the starting catcher you need 2 MLB quality backup catchers in addition. I don’t think Cash is one of them. I don’t think Stewart is.
I think Molina and Cervelli at AAA is the best way to stratify risk given Posada’s health. Keeping Molina vs. Cervelli is less an issue of “talent” than roster issues and risk stratification.
MikeBoston has the best idea; batting Posada sixth and Matsui seventh so that there are never two lefties in a row. Obviously Melky will play once he is healthy again, but by that time it may be in right field. Gardner is hot right now is Swisher is as cold as anyone could get.
I want this lineup ASAP:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3D
Posada C
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Nady RF
Melky CF
Hopefully by July, this can be the everyday lineup
hey, gang… nbcnewyork.com is having another golden local contest.
it’s between citi field and yankee stadium for new best stadium.
and yankee stadium is currently losing big!
come on, everyone…vote for our digs!
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/around_town/debates/
“I want this lineup ASAP:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3D
Posada C
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Nady RF
Melky CF”
Ditto That!