I'm Worried
I don't care what Jorge Posada says, but his shoulder really worries me. It may be described as "minor soreness" and the Yankees are only being smart by shutting him down for a couple of days, but the fact remains that Posada is a huge question mark hanging over the season.
The Yankees have done nothing to prepare in the event that Posada cannot catch this season. Molina is the backup and his .576 OPS last season cost the Yankees a couple of wins. That wasn't a huge deal in 2008 as that Yankee team finished six games out of a playoff spot. But, the 2009 Yankees clearly are built to make the playoffs and with Boston and Tampa in the division, every win is vital.
You can talk up Austin Romine and Jesus Montero all you want, but neither one of them will be showing up in the Bronx until 2011 at the earliest. Francisco Cervelli has 73 AB's above A ball, Kevin Cash can't hit a lick. If Posada can't catch this season the Yankees are royally screwed. Brian Cashman has about a month to find some sort of insurance and I can only hope he acts. Leaving this position as is could destroy the entire season.
Comments
You're right and I think that this is why Nady and Swisher are good to have right now - either can bring a C back to the club in a trade.
By the way, both Hughes and Kennedy have looked decent.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 09:10 AM
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I sent my Yankee friends at work an email last night with a smirky, "might as well accept Molina is your catcher this year" note :)
Maybe Manny could catch?
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 09:34 AM
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What a great image that is - Manny squatting behind the plate, spitting through his catcher's mask (sometimes not quite successfully), with the hair flowing out the bottom, rolling around on the ground trying to dig a few sinkers or splitters out of the dirt. Yeah, that's a good one !
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 10:16 AM
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What would you guess for the number of passed balls per inning? I say seven.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 12:57 PM
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Can't even offer up a guess for that ...
But I do think it would be fun to watch Manny try to catch someone like Wakefield throwing the knuckler. Would make me think of Uecker's proven method for catching a knuckleballer - "wait for it to stop rolling then go pick it up."
;-)
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 03:10 PM
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Can't you just picture him loafing his way to the backstop trying to get the ball? That would be hysterical.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 07:21 PM
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Manny SO needs to be a DH somewhere. Yeah, he's a total airhead in the field - and yep I can just see him jogging to the backstop to pick one up - but that guy can HIT. I read somewhere that he leads the majors in grand slams of all the active players? Do I have that right?
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 07:48 PM
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correct, with 20
A-Rod is 2nd among active players with 17.
All-Time leader is Gehrig with 23
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 08:07 PM
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It's pretty amazing that if the latest reports out of LA are true Manny is going to end up with only about $3.5 million more than he would have gotten if he had stayed in Boston.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 1, 2009 11:33 PM
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I'm sure he and Scott Boras are just thankful to have a job in this tough economy...
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 2, 2009 06:19 AM
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Catching is primarily a defensive position. Someone who hits better than Molina will cost more games with poor defense or handling of pitchers.
Molina is a first class defensive catcher and the Yanks can win with him. The problem is what to do with Posada if he is healthy enough to hit but not throw. I guess Matsui goes back to the outfield and Posada goes to DH.
Posted by: Corey | March 2, 2009 11:01 AM |