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Thursday, June 03, 2010

ESPN New York: Parker: Posada should be full-time DH

“I know that I can catch and I can be out there but a lot of circumstances have come and I’m going to have to be smart about it,” said Posada, who played 100 games behind the plate last season—the most ever for a Yankees catcher in a season in which he turned 38 years old. “If I’m in the lineup, I’m happy.

“I would like to catch here and there sometimes, but I understand what the future holds.”

In this case, the future is now.

It would be one thing if the Yanks didn’t have a capable catcher to replace Posada. But it’s exactly the opposite. Francisco Cervelli, just 24, has done a great job since taking over.

Not only has he caught well and handled the staff just as well, but he has also been a clutch hitter. Even Posada, who turns 39 in August, knows that. “He’s done a great job,” Posada said about Cervelli, who’s batting .302 with 24 RBIs. “We obviously know we have a catcher here in the future. He’s going to be the future of this team and I’m happy for him.”

Cranial Carlos asks…“Is this the same Francesa Cervelli that’s been hitting around .180 the last two weeks?”

Repoz Posted: June 03, 2010 at 12:26 PM | 10 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: projections, yankees

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1. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: June 03, 2010 at 01:01 PM (#3549158)

Um, no.

Even with his torrid start, Cervelli is only posting a 756 OPS, and that's with a .344 BABIP. He has nothing in his history that makes you think he can sustain this.

Posada should catch less, to keep him healthy. But he still needs to catch 3-4 games a week.

2. JRVJ (formerly Delta Socrates) Posted: June 03, 2010 at 01:08 PM (#3549163)

Frankie C is going to be one of the very best back-up catchers in baseball. But as a starter, not so much.

3. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 03, 2010 at 01:28 PM (#3549184)

If Nick Johson returns [I know, I know] or another DH option emerges, the Yanks' line-up will be better with Posada catching. Until then, not so much, but Posada should still catch about 50% of the time while others rotate through the DH slot.

4. The District Attorney Posted: June 03, 2010 at 01:51 PM (#3549220)

I think this mostly makes sense. First of all, there isn't anybody to "rotate through" worth "rotating through." Well, playing Thames against a lefty is probably worthwhile. But the rest of the bench is completely horrendous.

And it would be quite useful to find out exactly how good Cervelli is. If it turns out Jesus Montero can't catch, Cervelli might end up being your best option back there. And even if Montero can catch, you could get a good amount for Cervelli in a trade, if he has become an established decent, young catcher.

5. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: June 03, 2010 at 01:54 PM (#3549226)

If it turns out Jesus Montero can't catch, Cervelli might end up being your best option back there.

Hasn't CW come around to the viewpoint that Romine is the likeliest successor to Posada?

6. Kurt Posted: June 03, 2010 at 02:00 PM (#3549235)

I think this mostly makes sense. First of all, there isn't anybody to "rotate through" worth "rotating through." Well, playing Thames against a lefty is probably worthwhile. But the rest of the bench is completely horrendous.

I think the "others" referenced by YC include people like ARod, Jeter, Swisher etc. each DH'ing once a week or so to get a semi-rest.

7. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: June 03, 2010 at 02:04 PM (#3549244)

The other thing about Posada being a full time DH is that it probably forces you to carry replacement level dreck like Moeller or risk routinely losing the DH any time you pinch hit or pinch run for Cervelli, or if he ever needs to leave a game. Though, come to think of it, they don't really have many better hitters than Cervelli on the bench.

8. The District Attorney Posted: June 03, 2010 at 02:06 PM (#3549247)

I think the "others" referenced by YC include people like ARod, Jeter, Swisher etc. each DH'ing once a week or so to get a semi-rest.

Yeah, to be replaced in the field by one of the schmendricks I referred to.

9. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 03, 2010 at 03:07 PM (#3549330)

I think the "others" referenced by YC include people like ARod, Jeter, Swisher etc. each DH'ing once a week or so to get a semi-rest.

Yeah, to be replaced in the field by one of the schmendricks I referred to.

No doubt something will be lost by playing Pena instead of A-Rod at 3rd (and the same for other moves), but as the season goes on Girardi is likely to give A-Rod, Jeter, Swisher, Teixeira and others as many "half days" off as full days. The shape of the playoff race will affect this, but being at peak for September and the playoffs is going to be a priority. For the playoffs, I think Posada catches and the Yanks find a solid DH option by then.

10. Matt Garza smells it deep (Mr. Tapeworm) Posted: June 03, 2010 at 04:18 PM (#3549449)

Hasn't CW come around to the viewpoint that Romine is the likeliest successor to Posada?

It would seem so, considering Romine's hitting .329/.385/.488 in AA at the moment.

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Thursday, June 03, 2010

ESPN New York: Parker: Posada should be full-time DH

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