A Bad Trend
Jorge Posada's numbers over the last 28 days....173/.328/.231. The last 14 days show a line of .125/.276/.208. The last 7 brings you to .000/.091/.000.
The Yankees have already benched him against lefties (Andruw Jones is the DH tonight) but they really can't keep running him out against righties if he is going to put up numbers like this. Girardi handled him poorly two weeks ago against Boston, but this clearly can't go on. The question is, what are the Yankees going to do with him?
My first move would be to see if I could get anything for him on the trade market. It's highly unlikely, but I do wonder if the Mets would swing at a pitch in the dirt and trade Beltran for Posada? It makes no sense from a performance standpoint, Beltran is hitting .279/.369/.514, but the Mets are in serious financial trouble. It sounds like they are going to sell a 33% stake of their team to an investor for $200 million. But, it gets better than that. The $200 million must be paid back in 3 years. If it is, the investor gets to keep 16% of the team anyway. If it isn't, he has the option to buy up to 60% of the club. That's how bad the Mets' finances are, they are essentially willing to give 16% of the team away for a $200 million loan. So, maybe the $5.5 million difference between Beltran and Posada's salary is something that would interest them. And their catcher hitting at a .230/.301/.278 clip. But, I assume that won't happen which means the Yankees are going to have to solve this one on their own and that means benching him completely or releasing him.
The problem with benching him is that he doesn't provide any value on the bench unless he can hit. He is not a candidate to be a defensive substitute and he is certainly not a candidate to pinch run. I guess you could make the argument that he could possibly draw a walk in a key situation, like he did last week, but is that really a reason to give someone a bench spot? It's not and the Yankees would be better served with someone like Pena, Golson or Maxwell who could provide some speed and defensive coverage on the bench. (Note, I am not in the group that says Montero should get the promotion and become the everyday DH if the Yankees release Jorge. First off, his bat has cooled big tim3- .753 OPS. Second, the Yankees have older guys who can really benefit from a day at DH. I prefer letting the DH rotate depending on the pitcher, rather than using Montero right now. If his bat heats up again, then promote him.)
So, the Posada solution would have to be cutting him and that is going to be a delicate operation. The first step is giving him the next two weeks or so and seeing if there is anything left in his bat. Assuming the answer is no, the Yankees can bury him on the bench for a week or so and then find a spot to give him one last at bat in front of the home crowd. That would show Jorge the respect he has earned and also give the fans a chance to say goodbye. It's not a pretty way for a great Yankee's career to end, but sadly, it is becoming more and more inevitable.
Comments
Peter, I can't see Posada going anywhere else. It has to be his decision to go but one I hope he might come to on his own. From a PR standpoint, once its decided that he's going to retire in-season, leak he's thinking about retiring, get fans chatting, then announce his last series at Yankee stadium and send him out for a last go in front of the home crowd. Then announce he's being added to the coaching staff for the remainder of the season. You simply can't release him, even if it makes no baseball sense not to.
Posted by: tim | May 31, 2011 08:06 PM |
I think Posada would hit better if he was catching. I like Cervelli, but I simply do not understand why Posada is not given a chance at backup catcher.
If they won't play him in his position, I would like to see him traded to finish somewhere with dignity. The Giants, Twins, and Mets all need catchers.
Posted by: Corey | June 1, 2011 09:27 AM |
Corey, he calls a bad game, he will call the same pitch once the pitcher shakes him off..they do not like throwing to this guy, and last year i thought his glove was made of concrete.
Posted by: bornwithpinstripes | June 1, 2011 11:24 AM |
You can't justify his place on the roster, period. And if the Giants, Twins, and Mets all have no hit catchers, why would they want another one with suspect defense. Just saying. At least this is the last year, you want dignity, let him be the pinch hitter and give him a curtain call game at catcher at the end of the season.
Posted by: tim | June 1, 2011 10:41 PM |