A few Yankee notes for a slow Monday

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2009 8:14 AM EST in News Comment 20 comments

Just a handful of New York Yankees notes this morning.

Was Watching says the Yanks Should Move Posada To D.H. In 2010.

My guess is there is a lot of agreement around here with that statement. Especially when you consider some of the numbers Was Watching highlighted.

In "The Bill James Handbook 2010" the Fielding Bible’s "Runs Saved" leaders over the last three years are listed at each defensive position.

At "catcher," over the last three years, Yadier Molina has saved the most runs with a mark of +22. Who was the worst, at "catcher," over the last three years here? That would be Jorge Posada with a mark of -23. And, keep in mind, this is with Jorge missing two-thirds of the 2008 season due to injury!

My take: Posada has two years left on his contract. Like it or not, he will enter 2010 as the Yankees' No. 1 catcher. I do believe, though, that Jorge will see less and less time behind the plate over those two seasons.
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Montero

That is all.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Nov 30, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Amen

Bring Montero up, start Cervelli, and let Posada DH. And that is all.

by david d on Nov 30, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So Montero can ride the bench?

No thanks, playing fulltime in Scranton is better than that.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Nov 30, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just wanted to post the picture for man-crush purposes

Montero definitely needs another year of seasoning in the minors before he’s ready. Maybe he gets a cup of coffee during September call ups, but you definitely want him getting regular at-bats.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Nov 30, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hah, it's ok I was responding to david d who wants to bring up Montero, start cerv and dh Po.

I’m with you on the mancrush front.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Nov 30, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Should move Montero to AAA, and call up Cervelli to share catching with Posada.

by Wraithpk on Nov 30, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Montero's gotta start in AA again.

Coming off the injury, get him a month or so in AA to see what he does.

He tears it up again, move up to AAA as soon as possible.

He could very well rake in AAA right away, but graduating him may be more beneficial coming off the injury.

I’d much rather do that then worry about demoting him from AAA to AA if he struggles off the bat.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 1, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Two Words: Francisco Cervelli

Yes I'm talking to myself. Who else would I trust?

by TheMelkman on Nov 30, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's simple

Posada’s value to the Yankees is maximized while he is a catcher, even if he is a lousy catcher, because of the huge position value of his bat.

Just like Jeter, the Yankees sacrifice a lot of value by moving him because offense+defense C Posada + DH Matsui or Damon or anybody else with a slightly above average bat > C anybody but Posada or Mauer + DH Posada.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 30, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Amen

Love Jorge but his days as a catcher are numbered…Molina made some big d plays in the playoffs and the pitchers love pitching to him and Cervelli..I think you go with Jorge as the number 1 taking him out late in the game for d ..i leave him as the number 1 and gradually reduce his time behind the plate till the contract runs out ..maximizing the DH spot….If he stays healthy Jorge is probably good for 100 -120 gms behind the plate for the next 2 yrs..but as we can see a good D especially in the playoffs is huge ..remeber the pickoff play by Molina..and we all know what happens if Roberts gets nailed in the 04’ ALCS …

by MUSKRAT on Nov 30, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Roberts should have been nailed

he didn’t get the best jump. It wasn’t the best throw by Jorge and it was still close. A good throw there, and history changes (for the better).

Good Defense is huge in the playoffs. I agree that getting a good defensive catcher to play until Montero is ready is a good idea, because Posada is only hurting the Yankees behind the plate these days. Still got a good bat, but his defense keeps getting worse.

Still, I have to agree with Ed here. Posada will be the starting catcher, catching CC Sabathia in Fenway Park to start next season, whether we like it or not.

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 30, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Posada: Full Time

Posada needs to be the full-time catcher for at least one more year until Montero arrives, hopefully in 2011, and is able to split the catching duties with him. For 2010, there are no quality offensive catchers available besides Bengie Molina who will get more than a 1 year deal. Posada’s defense isn’t bad enough to justify having Posada/Cervelli fill 2 spots in the lineup rather than Posada/Matsui or another DH.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 30, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Plus they probably wont get Bengie just after dumping his brother, lol

by Wraithpk on Nov 30, 2009 10:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

1 more year for Posada behind the plate then it's Mauer time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sign Mauer after next year and make Posada the DH. Cervelli is good but has no stick. Mauer is the clear answer just as Texiera was this past season.

by Ron L on Nov 30, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mauer would cost A-Rod like money

and we’ve got Montero and Romine in the system. I don’t think the chances are high of the Yankees getting Mauer due to the surplus of catching in the system. And he would cost a TON! I know they’re the Yankees, but they have a budget too, I’m sure. And Cashman has said that he wants to reduce payroll.

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 30, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly...

and also, A-Rod’s a 3B.

You gotta worry about injury risk with Mauer cuz he’s a catcher.

Paying A-Rod money to a catcher could bite you in the ass big time.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 1, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What?

What about Montero? He has a good year or so and he is already looking like a possible solution to our soon-to-be catching issues.

by Gelatin on Nov 30, 2009 4:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

how can anyone

who sees Posada’s runs saved numbers still defend him as a catcher? It boggles my mind. DH him or whatever, but when pitchers perform better with other catchers, even rookies like Cervelli, it says a lot about Posada’s defensive skills.

Additionally, how anyone would pass up on Mauer just because we have prospects is beyond me. Minor leaguers are there for two reasons: insurance and trade fodder. Rarely do players such as Jeter and Bernie and Rivera come up and be the all-star and HoF caliber players we wish them to be (especially for the Yankees).

I guess I need to see these kids play, but I really don’t get the ga-ga Montero/Romine love.

by phonty on Nov 30, 2009 11:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can

1) Defense is unquestionable hard to quantify, but catching defense is hardest because there is no “range” to consider.
2) Baseball operates in a system of position scarcity. Only 9 players on the field, only one at each position. For it to make any sense to let someone else catch 80-100 games, not only must that mystery player’s offense+defense be greater than Posada’s, it has to be enough greater to offset the difference between Posada’s bat at DH and the better hitter he’d likely displace.

Agree on the Montero lovefest- I think he’ll be a stud, but given the chance to sign Mauer I’d do it in a heartbeat (even at $30M per season). The worst case scenario then is having a backup catcher capable of starting in the event of injury.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 30, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Posada catching

We need to reduce Posadas games behind the plate and increase his DH games. Forget trading or signing a catcher. We should move Cervelli into the number 2 catcher role( he earned it in 2009) and give him the shot until he fails. Split the time with Cervelli and Posada. After all even Yogi Berra split time with Howard. Be a team player man…
Montero is the future within our system.,He shows power and a good average and catching skill.We need to wait a year and groom him to come up 2011.
Posada has to understand he is done as catcher- the stats show it and watch him behind the plate. He does not freeze the glove as a target and pitchers are shaking him off more and more..Jorge makes a very good DH and opens up possibilities to reduce payroll and sign a strong outfielder.yes – Holliday.. It is our number one need..

by ghostwalker on Nov 30, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs