Could this be Posada's final season in pinstripes?

by anaconda on Aug 9, 2007 1:51 PM EDT in News Comment 26 comments

There are a handful of players in recent years who I believe will never wear anything but Yankee pinstripes their entire major league careers (Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera).

I would also include Jorge Posada on that list, but Steve Goldman raises the possibility that this could be Posada's final year in pinstripes and may elect to play elsewhere next season.

Now, Posada has stated earlier this season that he intends to file for free-agency and test the market during the off-season. That is certainly his right and he would be a fool not to see what kind of value he has on the open market.

Posada, who turns 36 next week and getting up there in age at such a brutal position, is still one of the top catchers in MLB and is currently having the best season of his career.

Frankly, there are no projected younger alternatives within the organization anytime soon and Jose Molina, while a suitable backup, is not an everyday catcher. There are also few alternatives on the free-agent market at the catcher position during the 2007/08 off-season outside of Ivan Rodriguez (who turns 36 in November).

Personally, I believe this is a bit of fear mongering on Goldman's part towards Yankee fans because there no doubt in my mind that Posada and the Yankees will come to an agreement if for no other reason than the organization recognizes that they can ill-afford to let him go anywhere.

Your thoughts?

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My thoughts

Someone needed something to write about on a Yankee off day.

He's not going anywhere.

by matthaggs on Aug 9, 2007 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely true

that's what we do on off days.

Nobody wants to stare at the in-game thread from last night's blowout.

by anaconda on Aug 9, 2007 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was talking about Goldman

not you.

by matthaggs on Aug 9, 2007 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha.....

it's an off-day for all of us.

by anaconda on Aug 9, 2007 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Anything

He stays they trade for some young prospect and let Jorge school him in the art.

The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint. Reggie Jackson

by yanksfan77 on Aug 9, 2007 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No chance

I'm guessing 3 years $50 range.
He's a Yankee who will stay a Yankee, and someday my grandkid is going to ask me who was #20 and I'll tell him one of the best in a string of great Yankee catchers.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 9, 2007 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

reporters working for agents

I'm so sick of reporters who seem to be putting out press releases for agents.

Why should we fear Jorge leaving? Goldman doesn't say which team in need of a catcher will out bid the Yankees next year. I don't see a high payroll club that has an opening for catcher or needs a catcher next year. Maybe the Cubs, but their payroll is already maxing out. The Yankees will not let Jorge walk over a few million dollars.

The Yankees will have to pay a lot for Jorge, and he's already earned it. But I can't see the Yankees being outbid in the Jorge race.

by collink on Aug 9, 2007 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It matters

what he wants. If he is asking for a 4 or 5 year contract, they should let him walk. For the Yanks, ideal contract will be for 2 years but most likely they will have to give 3. He is at the age when all of these skills can go the next day.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 9, 2007 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I suspect

3 years with an option for a fourth (non-vesting).
The Mets and Cubs will be in the market for a catcher, and there really is nothing else out there.

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

by jscape2000 on Aug 9, 2007 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear

you, its just catchers usually around now fall apart. Even though there aren't others available, I really can't see him keep this up for another 2-3 years, 4 is really pushing it.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 9, 2007 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His contract

It definitely should be no more than 3 years, and I wouldn't sign him for anything more than 12 million per year...and to me, that's being VERY fair for a catcher his age. Sure, he's still very good for a catcher of his age, but being and old catcher, he's a good chance to break down at any minute. However, I think he'll want more than 12 million per year...and if I'm the Yankees brass, I wouldn't let Posada go over a couple million.

Well this has been a strange game. I guess anyone can win, right Suzyn. Yeah John, you know I like cookies -Typical radio John+Suzyn Conversation

by goyankees on Aug 9, 2007 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One Posada problem

on this team is that there is little or no flexibility on where and how to play him. He is either on the field catching or a high priced pinch hitter. This is a guy who cannot run and if you can imagine, will get a step or two slower. He is behind other players who will DH because they have big contracts and cannot play defense. The only non-catching position you can think about is first base, but again there is a long line of real and default first basemen this year and next.
Joe's gotta rest Posada more in the coming weeks - or he will just fatigue and slip. I;m surprised it hasnt happened so far. Amazing what a contract renewal year will do isnt it?
I don't know if Molina is the guy, but we need to find a decent backup who we can keep for a few years. We've been lucky with the revolving door backup catcher in the past.
Having said all that, I think he is in the 3 year 35MM w/option range and we need to sign him.

In his chase for No. 500, ARod broke one of Mantle's records. He took one more at bat than Mickey to get there!

by mickey07 on Aug 9, 2007 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jorge is

a give it all type of guy. His hustle this year had been the best ever. He deserves the money they give him in the off season because he has earned it. Also he will always be a Yankee no matter what happens with his situation. I have 100% confidence though that the Yanks will sign him. They cant afford to let him go.

God is a Yankee fan

by DarksideJU08 on Aug 9, 2007 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post.

So if he wants a 4 or 5 year contract, lets hope the Yanks open the vault for a 36 year old catcher.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 9, 2007 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come On

Jorge's not going anywhere and everyone knows it. (Same goes for A Rod, by the way). They'll open the vault for Jorge - within reason - because he won't ask for a 4-5 year contract. He has the sense not to go out like Bernie.

by greenpoint on Aug 9, 2007 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why wouldn't

he ask for that? He knows this is his last pay day and catchers are in demand. I don't see him leaving but I think there is more of a chance him leaving than Mo.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 10, 2007 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

either way

the yankees have to most money to offer and are likely the only ones willing to overpay jorge.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Aug 10, 2007 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are forgetting

that they will have to do the same with Arod and Mo also. Everyone, including the Yankees, has their limits.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 10, 2007 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NYY 2008

I think they will sign Jorge for 3 years although it is a risky investment. B. Cash will also sign Rivera for at least 2 years and extend A-Rod's contract. Other than that, I don't see a whole lot of changes except they will decline Abreau's option for sure. I wished they could've found a way to void Giambi's contract and put Jorge there for 50~60 games a year. It looks like NYY 2008 won't differ a whole although pitching staff is due for some changes.

SP1 Wang
SP2 Andy
SP3 Hughes
SP4 Moose (I did not like this signing)
SP5 Joba
RP Edwar, Bruney, Britton, Rivera plus 3 new faces

by yankeesintexas on Aug 10, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought

Abreu was a gonner for sure, but I'm not so sure anymore.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 10, 2007 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Abreu was gone as well

but I agree, I think the odds of him coming back are pretty good now with his recent hot streak.

However, I still don't think they are going to pick up his option. They'll probably elect to do what they did with Moose last season and sign him to a lesser deal.

by anaconda on Aug 10, 2007 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what about Damon?

could the Yankees trade Damon in the offseason?

Damon already said he like to play in the south. If the Yankees eat a bit of his contract they could probably trade him.

by collink on Aug 10, 2007 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I may be in the minority here

but I don't think Damon is done like others do.

I believe most of his struggles this season were a result of his various injuries and you can now see he's been playing well since he's been healthy.

I know he doesn't have a great arm, but nobody really complained too much about his arm last season when he had such a great year.

Personally, I like Damon and I think he can still be a very productive player and provides a spark at the top of the order than nobody else on this team can do when he's right.

Others may disagree, but I like hitting Melky ninth in the lineup and Damon leading off because that is a lot of speed (when the lineup turns over) in front of Jeter, Abreu, and A-Rod.

by anaconda on Aug 10, 2007 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Damon

is on it makes sense. This season though, they should reverse it, Melky lead off, Damon 9th.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Aug 10, 2007 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree-- there's no way you

pick up bobby's option. that contract was signed when he was a 30-30 threat.. Now he's pretty much just a good OBP guy with a good arm- not worth $18 mil.

moving damon would be nice, just not sure it will happen.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Aug 10, 2007 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A couple thoughts

It's a 16 million dollar option.
That's not far out of line with what JD Drew got, and Abreu has played in at least 151 games each season since his rookie year.

Depending on the timetable (Arod, Mo, Posada), the Yanks will either pick up the option, or decline it and work out a longer deal.

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

by jscape2000 on Aug 10, 2007 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs