Mon Aug 08 08:55am EDT
It's the last thing any athlete wants to hear from a coach: We think we're a better team without you.
Hearing that has to be especially difficult for someone who's had as much success in his baseball career as Jorge Posada(notes). But that's the conversation he had with New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi before Sunday night's 3-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
"He said he was going to put the best lineup on the field, and he doesn't know when I'm going to DH again," Posada said. "So right now I'm sitting on the bench… I'm not happy about it, but right now I can't do nothing about it. I put myself in this situation."
Two months ago, Posada also appeared to take responsibility for his plight. But his actions spoke otherwise when Girardi penciled him into the ninth spot in the lineup, and he then said he couldn't play due to a sore back. (Interestingly, this also took place before a game against the Red Sox.)
Yankees GM Brian Cashman added more drama to the situation when he met with the media during the game, saying Posada pulled himself from the lineup. Worked into a frenzy, reporters surrounded Posada's locker after the game, asking for a response to Cashman's comments. Posada took exception to Cashman talking to the media during the game, sneering "That's the way he works now."
Sunday's announcement came with no such theatrics.
Posada didn't have a chance to take himself out of the Yankees' lineup this time around. He wasn't batting ninth. Girardi didn't have him in the lineup at all, giving Eric Chavez(notes) the start at designated hitter. (For what it's worth, Chavez batted 0 for 4 with three strikeouts on Sunday night.)
Back in May, Posada was hitting .165/.272/.349, making Girardi's decision look like a no-brainer. Posada improved from there, seemingly motivated by the slight, and pushed his batting average up to .240, with a somewhat respectable OPS of .754. But it's never really gotten better from there. As of Sunday, he was batting .230/.309/.372 and struggling through a 1-for-13 slump.
Chavez looks like a better option at DH, hitting .323/.389/.431. But those numbers have been compiled in only 72 plate appearances this season. However, Chavez can still play in the field, playing 18 games at third base. And with Alex Rodriguez(notes) working his way back from knee surgery, the Yankees might need some help at that position.
Ultimately, that might be what benching Posada is really about. A-Rod might have to play at DH when he first returns. That leaves an opening at third base, which Chavez would likely fill — perhaps in a platoon with Eduardo Nunez(notes). Chavez could also help out at first base occasionally, allowing Mark Teixeira(notes) to DH. However it works out, the Yankees now have more lineup flexibility.
The Yankees have one more option at DH, which would be to call up Jesus Montero(notes) from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. According to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, the team's preference is to go with Chavez first. Rodriguez would probably have to show he could play third base regularly again before Montero could be called up to take the full-time DH role.
Sitting on the bench can't be the way anyone wanted to see Posada's 17-year career with the Yankees end. But he's not being released, presumably to avoid clubhouse drama. And there's plenty more baseball to be played, including the postseason. Posada was hitting decently against right-handers, with a .263/.340/.438 average and all nine of his home runs. Maybe he has some contributions left to make this season.
But it could be a while — a long one — before that opportunity comes around for him.
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Eddie man i dont think people were sayin that when he went for 20 homers and 80rbis consistently its just hes gettin old for a catcher and they dont have anywhere to put him. Its useless to put him out there at 40 years old, but im not happy how the yankees have handled this, I just hope it doesnt end for jeter this way
Good, bench that @#$%. He cost me alot of money in a game between boston and they yankees a few years ago!
Fenway is a dump. Time for a great new stadium.
We the yankee fan ? that bullsh t You were not yankee fan it is not end season yet buddy we,ll see ?.
posada..consider your s lucky you got to play for the yankees and their power line ups....dont think you would accomplish anything had you play for the cubs...royals..pirates...etc etc...so stop your crying..you are wash up...done..finish...adios overrated punk......wish ozzie guillen had the balls girardi has and bench that wash up dunn.....and worthless rios.....
Posada has outlived his wellcome, his reaction when he was placed in th ninth spot speaks volumes about his character. He is a has been period, he should take his money and go, it is not like f the Yankees didn't paid him millions. Respect you earn,what you did in the past does ot guarantee you a place in the roster let alone in the line up,the yankees should wave him out and bring up Moreno, why? because he has a career in front of him,and the penant race would prepare him for the years to come.
Evidently he wasn't the problem because they still lost!!! Lol
Another job for Yogi Berra who could tell Posada about retiring after 1963. Remember Mickey Mantle retiring? It was like the day we learned our childhood was over. Jorge, it's just your time.
it's a blessing he live the day to see a successor take his place' he has nothing to be ashame of. i just hope all of you live to see that day when father time say it's your time to rest and pass on the load to the next in line with grace and class. good luck pasada you are a hell of a ball player
WH0RE'ah POS A DUHH
He'll be 40 in 9 days and has been productive at times but has otherwise been inconsistent to semi awful in 2011. Face facts, his best days are behind him & they're not coming back & he's not the first veteran player to be at that point in his career & won't be the last. He had a very good run for over a decade as one of the elite catchers in the AL.
You "can't do nothing about it," Jorge? Nice use of the English language, dumb @#$%.
That's just a sad @#$% way to treat a man like Posada who has done so much for the Yankees. Learn how to talk to people Mr. Coach. Just F%$&^%G Sad. Posada you are the best Man!!! Keep your head up high!!!
Hip Hip JORGE! Being a catcher will beat up your body. You're a classy man Mr Posada. I don't think I can say the same for the guy in the front office. As of last night, Yankees were dead even with the Redsox, you know they are clawing and scrambling... with that said I can't be angry at Girardi, he's doing his job. I've always admired and respected the way you played, with love and heart even playing 2nd fiddle to Girardi back in the days when he was Torre's go-to guy. I think I'm gonna go and buy me a #20 jersey right now...
Please..Oh LORD ...replace Fenway park. If it was not for the location it would have been destoyed in the 60's...I'm no kid - 30 years i have gone to that ballfield..but if it did not have a huge wall in left,it would and should be a condo complex or a hotel. screw the bar s and pubs around it. Fenway Park Must Be DESTROYED!!!! its like a old bowling alley in your town thats been there before you were born. xcept this dump is in a very prime spot. and the beers will cost more than a double wide trailer in Kansas City.
As a Yankee hater I am happy today. Grab some pine dumbo!
Giardi, never cared much for the guy , the guy that beat him out for the catcher spot; on that over priced team. Posada would also make a much better mang. that that @#$% of an ex- half @#$% catcger.
"What if?"
Tough luck, Jorge. You're no Jeter when it came to aging.
How does this happen: "...A-Rod might have to play at DH..."? How do you play "at DH"? When is the American League going to get back to playing real baseball and put nine players in the lineup that have to "play a continuous round of fielding and batting unless being permenently substituted out of the game. I would be embarrassed as a professional player if I could only go nine "half" innings.
Oh, wait, the Yankees can't have that. They need a much greater depreciation period to recoup all of those exorbitant player salaries they have passed out trying yet failing to buy another World Series. I guess shelling out tons of money on long-time entertainment players in order to sell tickets and souvenirs is more important than winning. At least they have the right GM guy passing out the buckets of bucks(que the Beatles!)-" It's the Cash Man, oooh oooh, the Cash Man..." lol
I'll take "old man" Varitek anyday!!
God loves I know "Jorgy" and I think Cashman needs to respect him a LOT more than he has in recent months (lest you forget ALL those championship flags he's brought the organization, Brian!!) considering his contributions through sixteen plus seasons!!
That said, Jorge has reached that point in his illustrious career where he has peaked and simultaneously puttered out in terms of his production. The biggest hit (besides his batting average) he's taken is the fact that he can't play his position anymore and certainly won't get many starts at first base....so that's a double whammy for him.
He deserves better than this but Jorge? I think it may be time to "hang 'em up" my friend.
Let's have you retire with the grace you deserve and ON TOP!!
You will ALWAYS be a beloved Yankee!!
To everybody crying about how unfairly the Yankees are treating Jorge Posada, there are a few things to remember:
1. They are in a dogfight in the AL East with the Red Sox. Those same sox that started 2-12. That shows either how great the Red Sox have been playing or how not-great theYankees have been.
2. The Yankees need production from 1-9 in the batting order.
3. Posada is not giving them the production they need
4. When all is said and done, the Yankees are not starting him but he is STILL ON THE ROSTER. I bet if it wasn't for the 17 years of service and play Posada gave the Yankees he would have been cut and out of a job.
As a Red Sox fan I never thought I'd be defending the Yankees, but this is just smart baseball. They are running a business. They are not in the business of coddling egos. They are in the business of winning baseball games and Posada has not been contributing enough AND t hey have better options. You Yankees fans should be happy about this.
Real team player.
Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.
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