Around the Yankee Universe, what to do at catcher edition

by Ed Valentine on May 27, 2009 8:50 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

When Jorge Posada returns to the Yankees -- which appears likely to happen this weekend -- the Yankees have some catching decisions to make.

First up is which catcher to remove from the roster. Do they send out the impressive, but inexperienced 23-year-old Francisco Cervelli so that he can play every day at AA or AAA? Or do they DFA the useful veteran Kevin Cash, and likely lose him to another team?

My guess is that has a lot to do with the second decision the Yankees need to make. That, of course, is how often do they actually want the soon-to-be 38-year-old Posada to catch?

The last two seasons have shown that a) Posada is an important player for the Yankees, b) his body is showing signs of not being able to handle the daily workload behind the plate, and c) his defense behind the plate is probably not what it used to be.

So, does Cervelli, who has surpassed expectations and looks like he belongs in the big leagues both offensively and defensively, stay at the big-league level and catch 4-5 times a week? That would allow Posada to catch 2-3 times a week and DH on other days, even though I know he would hate that role.

Or, do the Yankees keep Cash on the roster and hope Posada can handle catching 5-6 times a week without breaking down again?

To be honest, as much as I would hate to lose Cash I want to see Cervelli stay. His minor-league numbers indicate that his work with the bat (.300 average in 40 at-bats) is not a mirage, and there's no doubt about his defensive ability. As for Posada, I just don't see him as an every day catcher any longer.

Vote in the poll and let us know who you would keep.

Here are some other stories making news around the Yankee Universe.

Phil Hughes' terrific start on Tuesday means Chien-Ming Wang will have to adjust to a long-relief role for now.
Lefty reliever Zach Kroenke is rising through the Yankee farm system, and could eventually find himself in the Bronx bullpen. Speaking of minor leaguers, 2007 No. 1 pick Andrew Brackman was absolutely terrible Tuesday night.
Not that power rankings mean anything (they don't), but the Yanks have moved up to fifth in the CBS Sportsline rankings.
Brian Bruney will see Dr. James Andrews today. He says he is "just tired of wondering" what is wrong with his elbow.

Poll

When Jorge Posada returns to the Yankees in a few days, which catcher should he replace on the roster?

Francisco Cervelli

178 votes

Kevin Cash

401 votes

579 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

for Cervelli

I think they should keep the kid. They need to get younger, and if Cervelli, who right now appears to be a better hitter than Cash, is capable of hitting .250, and giving Jorge a break a couple days a week ( and keeping his bat quicker), I think that’s the way to go. Molina’s contract is up at the end of the season, they need to find out if they have to resign Molina and the only way to do that is give Cervelli more experience.

by fredny on May 27, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions

Keep them both

I think they will keep them both and send down berrora. berrora hasnt played at all since A-Rods return and it doesnt seem like it will change. They will kepp all three of them on the roster for now unitll molnia is ready to return. This will allow them to give posada days off and keep cervilli playing behind the plate and also give him days off with cash playing

by Nick C on May 27, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Not a bad idea

by Ed Valentine on May 27, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Why would you need

3 catchers?

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on May 27, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's why

If Posada were to DH on a somewhat regular basis, you would have no way to pinch-hit for Cash or Cervelli (or Molina when he comes back) if you didn’t carry three catchers. That would be the only scenario for why it would be useful. Besides, I’m all for anything that gets Angel Berroa off the roster.

by Ed Valentine on May 27, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

I don’t think you fill up a roster spot just in the off chance you need a catcher to come in for defense after the pinch hit. I would rather fill that roster spot with someone who can play multiple positions and can be useful on the bases as a pinch runner if needed. By having Jorge, Jose and Frankie you basically have 3 players, 2 of whom do 1 thing well. Jorge can rake, Molina can catch. Cervelli, I dunno yet… he looks good. Real good so far. I think Cervelli needs to be our full time backup so he can get as many looks behind the plate as possible.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on May 27, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

What to do when Molina returns?

Are any of these guys trade bait?

by holycowboy on May 27, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Molina, maybe

but he won’t bring back anything you can use at the big-league level right now.

by Ed Valentine on May 27, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

For Now, keep both

I think they need both when Posada comes back.

If they really need the other roster spot, then I think Cervelli gets sent down simply because he can without much worry.

I like Cervelli and in the future I think he has a spot as a mainstay on the club, especially as at least the backup next season.

Also what about Molina? I don;t know what his condition is, but I don’t think you can just dump him.

by FreeBradshaw on May 27, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

Keep the kid, but...

I love the energy that Cervelli brings plus his speed and (surprising) bat. But Cash does call a good game. It might almost be benifical to have the kid go down and work on studying batters and game calling (though he has been excellent with CC). Either way I would take both of them over Molina, who looks like he lost a bit on his defense and is the only Molina brother who can’t hit.

by jcut on May 27, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

not even a question

cervelli should hands down remain with the team. who cares if we lose cash on waivers; he’s bounced around the league his entire career. the yanks need to get younger and faster and cervelli fits this new-look mold. he’s shown that he can handle yankees pitchers and i love the gardner/cervelli combination in the line up (in terms of bunting/hit and run).

LONG LIVE CERVELLI!!!

by brodels586 on May 27, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

I love the gardner/cervelli combination

in terms of all the extra outs they make.

by 3460kuri on May 27, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

sounds like

you are playing with their bats.. when you say that

by YANK77 on May 27, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Their bats in the lineup

takes away for their bats.

I know you can say that they may be better than a guy who “drives in 3, but lets in 2”. But if they let in 0 and also leave a bunch of guys on base, that;s bad too.

Gardner and Cervelli are good for what they do. But they are liabilities when you have them as everyday players.

by FreeBradshaw on May 27, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Kevin "You Will Lose Some Serious" Cash

Bottom line regarding Cash is he can’t hit. Cervelli hits better than him AND he plays a better catcher. Here is my question for everyone “falling in love” with Cervelli..What happens to Jesus Montero when he’s ready? Is he trade bait or what? I don’t know how much more he will progress but I, like you, really like him but will he be better than Montero or vice versa?
Also, the Yankees need to be very careful how they deal with the catcher situation b/c Posada believes he is the man and putting him at DH or removing him from the game for defense purposes will get him all pi$$y!

by Mondoas on May 27, 2009 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Montero

Is still a year or two away. What is he? 18 now? The Yankees are trying their best to train him to be a catcher but he may wind up having to be a DH or corner outfielder strictly because he is too big. Montero is our hitting “Sure thing” in the minors right now and he if off limits. If Posada cannot handle the fact that his own person feelings do not supercede the good of the team, than it is him being selfish. Same goes for Jeter WHEN his defense costs more games than it saves. Jeter is not at that point. Posada is not at that point yet either. I hope when they both are, they understand that the Yankees as a team must come first. Posada is in a perfect situation, he can catch 4 or 5 games a week, DH on his off days. There will come a time when Posada is the FT DH and he becomes the backup catcher.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on May 27, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions