Who’s No. 2 (at catcher)?
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Feb 26, 2011 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Russell Martin is slated to catch his first game of the spring by the middle of next week, so assuming that he is healthy and capable of being the team’s starting catcher, who is the best fit as his backup?
Francisco Cervelli, who started today, is the incumbent but there’s plenty of competition. Jesus Montero will catch today and Austin Romine had a hit in relief of Cervelli this afternoon.
There are some who believe a player is better off playing every day in the minors than being a backup in the majors, but my feeling is that if Montero (or, I suppose, Romine) shows he is the better player this spring than big-league experience is a valuable asset to have, too. If Montero is playing well a month from now, I’d take him on the roster.
For his part, Cervelli says he’s not taking anything for granted despite having been a serviceable backup last year.
“I don’t feel like I’m the No. 2 now,” Cervelli said. “I never feel comfortable. When you feel comfortable, a lot of bad things can happen. … There are a lot of talented guys here.”
Cervelli said he worked out harder this winter than he ever has, joining Robinson Cano in the Dominican for two months. “I killed the gym,” he said, and called it “the best decision” to spend more time with Cano.
“He’s one of the guys you want to follow,” Cervelli said.
* That’s an AP shot of Montero.
Whatever happens to Cervelli I just want to say that like him and respect his competitive spirit.
May the best Men win. Let the chips fall where they may.
Edit: “I like him”. sorry.
The Yankees have the best young catching pipeline in ALL of baseball.
AFA.
Soon enough people will see why everyone talks about Montero in glowing terms.
He’s not a wooden Indian behind the plate, and NASA wanted to recruit him to help them launch future rockets into space via his bat.
Good night everyone.
Tomorrow you will behold more of the next Yankee dynasty and the beginnings of the next core four.
An speaking of the “Hurt Locker”. That is where a lot of pitchers are gonna be when they have to face Montero daily.
Dream well.
MTU February 26th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
The Yankees have the best young catching pipeline in ALL of baseball.
—————————————
and they should use it to their advantage
So it isn’t an all-MTU thread?
# Nick in SF February 26th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
So it isn’t an all-MTU thread?
———————————————
just the 3 of us now
What happens to Cervelli if he doesn’t make the team or is DFA’d? Does he have go through waivers?
so with Po,Martin,Cervelli,Montero,Romine and the kid…..who will be still in this organization in 12
Doesn’t Cervelli have options left?
my take… Po( possible DH in 12) and Cervelli will be gone and Martin will have to prove himself
I’m still not convinced that Martin will be the #1.
Yes major brands do give out samples of their popular products best place is “123 Get Samples” search online, I just received mine
Romine can catch in the ML next year for sure & Montero has to be on the club in 12
What happens to Cervelli if he doesn’t make the team or is DFA’d? Does he have go through waivers?
–
They can just option him to AAA.
# Rich in NJ February 26th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
I’m still not convinced that Martin will be the #1.
———————————————————————
I still think he’s not healthy enough to be a #1 catcher.
Yeah, health is a part of my thinking too.
Doreen,
If you are still awake, we are only miles apart tonight. I am in NY to see my grandson. Back to AZ Monday. And, congrats on the car.
——————————————————————
Fran,
You are so young, I can’t stand it.
——————————————————
Compass Rosy,
Great birthday party. It’s fun to see your friends on the blog.
Just watched the game….Man was it good to see baseball again. Observations:
I thought Colon actually looked better than I thought he would….not blown away or anything but he had good movement and threw a couple of nice change ups….velocity was ok as well.
Thought Joba looked good as well….seeing early arm strength and a tight slider is encouraging.
Thought Noesi looked pretty good and despite the results there is still something I like about Phelps.
Dom Brown is gonna struggle unless he shortens his swing a bit….it’s long and big leaguers are gonna eat him alive with breaking balls…..Phils gonna miss Werth badly in 2011.
Arod looks outstanding….two great swings right out of the gate.
VT>Duke. Yay!
I’m just now watching the game. I was surprised they showed the pregame ceremony. Its weird seeing GMS field on TV. I spend so much time there it looks weird on TV.
Robertson dispatched Ibanez on 3 pitches, Howard on 4 (going 1-2), walked a batter, and then got Dom brown 2-2.
I wouldn’t say he was nibbling at the corners. You want pitchers to throw to the corners anyways. No one advises pitchers to huck it down the middle.
Thanks guys. I don’t know why I thought he was out of options.
so I was contemplating buying a month of mlb.tv so I could watch the Spring Training games and see all the prospects. It was then I realized that the game I am going to on the 13th is a split squad for the Twins which means no Mauer
With eyes like those, he will always have options.
Haha, Nick. I’m an abstainer, but compliments to you. That was good.
Free prediction: Cervelli goes north with the team.
I hope Cervelli remains the backup.
Just finished watching the game from today. Noesi looked really good, I mean, I don’t really know much about pitching but he didn’t look too bad.
I hope Montero is the starting catcher. If so, I don’t care who is the backup.
Looking forward to seeing Betances today.
I have never seen him pitch. Hear he’s “nasty”.
And of course, to watching the “Messiah of Mash”. That’s always a pleasure.
Everything I would say about the backup catcher competition has been said. So, I’ll just comment about something else..
Sam, first off, I apologize for this comment.. I don’t usually play “grammar police”, but this time I just felt compelled to. We can all learn from each other. Anyhow, there were 2 items in your story that I’d like to correct;
1} “There are some who believe a player is better off playing every day in the minors than being a backup in the majors, but my feeling is that if Montero (or, I suppose, Romine) shows he is the better player this spring than …”
– “than” is the correct word in “better than”
– But, “than” is not the correct word in “if, than”. It should be “then”.
2) Cervelli & Cano were in “the Dominican Republic” this winter, not in “the Dominican”. “The Dominican” would be a person from that country. FYI, there is also country in the Caribbean named Dominica, and a person from there is also called “a Dominican”. (obviously some room for confusion there…) I am a bit of a geography nut, so please forgive me for pointing this out.
Joeman-
You can be sure they will.
At the appropriate time.
What a great competition it’s gonna be between Martin, Cervelli, and Montero.
They’re all hungry.
Blake-
Noesi was sitting 92-93 and it’s just the beginning of ST.
The guy is smooth as silk.
Results will only get better.
Phelps has a really nice curve.
Results weren’t good but he strikes me as a gamer.
OK. I’ll shut up now.
Is Hank Aaron a little confused about Alex regarding first time he’s focused on baseball training (and not mostly rehab) since the surgery?
Q: Do you think Alex Rodriguez is a threat to break the all-time home run record?
A: I think he is. If he puts things where it’s supposed to be at. I think Rodriguez has got too many irons in the fire right now. I think his head’s not level enough to the point where he can have the kind of year that it takes in order to go past all of the records in the book.
Q: In what way?
A: I read in the papers, he said he had a great winter, for the first time. He should have a great winter all the time. When you’re playing baseball, you have to think about playing baseball. It’s a tough game. It’s tough, because you play so many games. I remember there were three years I didn’t miss one game — I played every exhibition game in spring training, and every game during the season. And it didn’t bother me.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z1F9uI2eWc
Despite what Hammerin’ Hank may say, I’m not worried about A-Rod.
Now, or in the future.
I think he’s gonna have a monster season this year.
Good morning from White Plains, morning people.
I wasn’t able to stay away to watch the replay of the game, alas.
GB7 has been saying all along that although Noesi and Nova are similar, he prefers Noesi and thinks he may be the better one at the end of the day. I saw Noesi pitch in Trenton; he was good that day, but not as good as the performance I saw from Stoneburner against Lakewood.
SAS -
Thanks about the car. I was thinking on the drive up here that you were in town this weekend. I’m sure you’re enjoying your visit with your grandson.
***
I got up early this am and took a walk to the corner store and picked up a Lohud newspaper. And the cup of coffee I didn’t get last night.
***
Nat –
It sure does sound from that piece that Aaron misunderstood what ARod was saying.
****
Compass Rosy -
My computer was unresponsive last night after a certain time, so I didn’t get the chance to say timely, Happy Birthday! What a great way to celebrate a milestone.
**I wasn’t able to STAY AWAKE. (Coffee hasn’t kicked in yet, so I guess I’m still not awake!)
Doreen-
Let’s see.
Tiguan.
IMac.
Cup O’ java.
Sounds like you’re ready for anything.
MTU -
I gotta say, it’s been an interesting 2 weeks. I’m glad I’m not a total technophobe, because I’d be a certifiable basket case right about now.
Later today, I need to set up a wireless printer and a Time Capsule (but there are complications, so I’ll use Apple Care). And I need to set up all the fancy features in the vehicle (though I could certainly get by without them).
The Tiguan is the perfect size car for me. It is exactly what I’d hoped.
****
MTU -
Have you always hiked? Or is it something you became interested in later in life? I love your photographs and the places you hike to are truly amazing. It’s the earth unretouched.
Doreen-
I admire your pluck.
Some people are Luddites when it comes to gadgetry.
Stick with it and ye shall be rewarded.
As far as hiking goes, I am a fairly recent convert having ascending to that lofty plain about 6 years ago.
Thank you for the compliment. It is my great pleasure to be able to share what the good Lord has blessed me to see.
The magnificence is everywhere. All we need do is see.
Doreen-
As Einstein said, “God does not play dice with the Universe.”
Good morning eveyone.
Off topic but hopefully of interest to everyone:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02.....f=baseball
I wanted Kershaw even before this for his baseball skills, but this kind of thing makes me want him even more for his character (not to mention his wife’s character as well.) We need more athletes likes this.
Nature is my Cathedral.
And Science my religion.
MTU February 27th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Doreen-
As Einstein said, “God does not play dice with the Universe.”
And Neils Bohr replied, “stop telling God what to do, Albert.”
61-
Great article on Kershaw. I see what you mean.
If those people were a baseball team, The Einsteins, Fermis, Bohrs,
Tellers, and Oppenheimers there wouldn’t be a Hall of Fame large enough to hold all of their awards.
It would take a Universe.
yanks61 -
Thanks for sharing that article.
***
And after reading that article, I reflect on the idea that God does not play dice with the universe. The physical universe, sure. But the peopled part of it? Well, I suppose God provided the raw materials and then it’s up to us. But what about what Kershaw’s wife said? Why are we born where we’re born? Why here and not there?
BryanHoch Bryan Hoch
Heads up – these players aren’t on today’s trip at Phils: Cervelli, Martin, Teixeira, Cano, Jeter, A-Rod, A. Jones, Golson.
MTU, Doreen – always a pleasure to read you both.
Doreen-
Go further.
Why do we do what we do ?
This and not that ?
Is it really free will or just part of a plan ?
reality or just illusion ?
GB – I haven’t seen Randi around for a while. Does the “home” still take him out for rides to that French pastry shop? I understand that doctors don’t think high cholesterol is a problem for folks over 90
Last one for this morning.
From Wordsworth (one of my faves). It’s called “The Cathedral”.
Apologies for the length.
“Like two cathedral towers these stately pines
Uplift their fretted summits tipped with cones;
The arch beneath them is not built with stones,
Not Art but Nature traced those lovely lines,
And carved this graceful arabesque of vines;
No organ but the wind here sighs and moans,
No sepulchre conceals a martyr’s bones,
No marble bishop on his tomb reclines.
Enter! the pavement, carpeted with leaves,
Gives back a softened echo to thy tread!
Listen! the choir is singing; all the birds,
In leafy galleries beneath the eaves,
Are singing! listen, ere the sound be fled,
And learn there may be worship without words.”
yanks61 February 27th, 2011 at 8:19 am
GB – I haven’t seen Randi around for a while. Does the “home” still take him out for rides to that French pastry shop? I understand that doctors don’t think high cholesterol is a problem for folks over 90.
———————————————————————————————————————-
high cholesterol is only a problem for those with a heart. “The Home” still takes him out on ocassion. Even they need a break from him.
I think Randy’s vacationing in Florida…playing golf, and showing Nurse Karloff his “better side.” Since she is a nurse, she’s seen plenty of old, wrinkled bottoms before.
He hasn’t been on for a couple of weeks, so I assume everything is going well with him.
Nice, MTU. I couldn’t even begin to tell you here where my mind goes when I go to Mass, but suffice to say, the best place to have a Mass would be outdoors or in the homes of loved ones.
yanks61 -
I think Randy is in FL , if I’m not mistaken. He did make a brief appearance in one of these threads over the last couple of days.
GB-
He’s probably eating lot’s of Crustaceans and drinking plenty of shark fin soup.
He’s in training for when he comes back.
MTU, Randy’s “crusty” enough.
GB-
I guess so.
Maybe he’s busy shinning people’s grills then ?
Not sure why we ever decided to pile on Randy, other than he’s easy pickin’s, but, we should ease off on him.
NAH!!!!!
GB-
As a Catcher, he’s used to receiving, and to taking punisnment, right ?
Good morning-
Doreen-
Good luck with the new car. May you have many hours of driving pleasure!
Nat
I heard Aaron asked last week on a show, what player today could have handled the kind of scrutiny and abuse that African American ball players like Jackie Robinson were able to excel under.
He said Derek for all the good reasons you would expect- work ethic, grace under pressure, overall demeanor, etc……. When someone said how about the guy next to him to transition into a question about the HR record, Aaron misunderstood and thought they were asking about how Alex would handle being Robinson and Aaron said he couldn’t handle it like Jeter could.
I thought you mean a guy who is a lightning rod and negotiates through thunderstorms daily, who plays under a microscope, who has gotten booed and taunted in every stadium- including sometime his own, who has had other players take on in the media and who has never publicly complained about any of it couldn’t handle what Robinson went through?
Aaron is a legend but he may not be an unbiased expert on all matters.
Morning everyone. Lot of positives from yesterday. Alex just looks great….driving a pitching to the Right-center gap like that i’m the first game of the spiting is impressive.
Was nice to see Noesi and Phelps…..super excited to see Betances and Montero tonight.
Blake-
I believe it’s an afternoon game ?
YankeesWFAN Any NYY fans still want this guy? RT @jeffzrebiecsun: Justin Duchscherer will play catch to see how he feels. Admits he is concerned.
My guess is that Aaron doesn’t even know Alex has been rehabbing his hip for the last 2 offseasons. Alex may have other irons in the fire but his work ethic is pretty legendary…..I don’t think that’s ever a issue with him.
New thread ====> the lineup
MTU,
I thought it was at 8?
Blake-
Yankee site has it at 1:05 PM ET.
New post
GreenBeret7 February 27th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Not sure why we ever decided to pile on Randy, other than he’s easy pickin’s, but, we should ease off on him.
NAH!!!!!
I know, GB. We should really cool it. At his age it’s especially easy to get confused. For example, I think when lauding the Twins pitching development, he makes the mistake of confusing the Minnesoata Twins with the old Minneapolis Millers from the late 1800s. Now according to the histories that I’ve read, THAT team knew how to develope pitchers! Unfortunately, after baseball banned the spitball, their success rate went down. That’s when they knew that their pitching development philosophy was licked.
Randi continues to get all this stuff mixed up. I’ve noticed a number of times where he slips up and will say things like so and so will be pitching today for the Highlanders. I believe he once said that his favorite player was Jack Chesbro and wondered when Chesbro was going to have his next start. I think he still faults Cashman for having forced Giradi to use Jack in the last and deciding game of the 1904 pennant race.