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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Maybe the Orioles will pick him up...Angelos loves those "washed up overpaid has beens".
Well, if that's the case, fire his worthless butt and send him back to his third world crap hole! We sure don't need him here!
Yankee fans will be really happy next year. Your DH will be Prince Fielder. You guys will love him. He plays hard all the time and is a terriffic player just coming into his own!
It's time to hang up that jock strap and call it a career my brother.
Wow, I hate it when multi-million dollar star athletes have their hearts broken like this. It's just really tough, you know?
Montero sucks! bring up jorge vazquez!! vazquez is leading in almost every category and has 27 hr's!!
Cashman is an a$$. He shouldn't be talking like that. If Jorge is on the bench, so be it. But he shouldn't be feeding the press @#$% for the sake of it.
Maybe he can get an appointment with Arod's doctor for some "special" magic pills.
So, Posada is pasado.
i feel so bad for Jorge, makes me want to go out an do a mike tyson on someone ear.
Pittsburg could use a putzy ball stopper probably, but he may be a liability for them too.
posada had a great career with the yanks comes a time that youth moves in he can keep his head up had a great career he still may be usrful as catcher .wether he knows it or not we all slow down as we get older i wish him the best.
HIp Hip Jorge. I'll Miss Ya.
The issue is deeper than benching a guy. This goes back to 96 when Posada really took over the catching duties from Girardi. Now Girardi sees an opportunity to use his position to influence Posada's playing time. Posada has not hit well this year and you need to send out your best 9 guys everyday. Is Chavez the answer? Time will tell but if the yanks bring up Montero they can not keep 4 catchers( Martin, Posada, Cervelli and Montero).
what ever happens you have been a leader on my team and all yankee fans have enjoyed as you as a. player and human being good look in the future.
I don't know about you but Iv'e realized for a long time that he is washed up and needs to retire.
That goes for some of the toher long time yankees as well.
espn deportes for you now posada
He's a putz, anyone that puts his face in the way of a throw to first is stupid. The only thing that saved him was the roids.
Just the DIFFERENCE between the total salaries of the Red Sox and the Wankees is more than the TOTAL SALARY paid to some teams. Remember when players were taught not bought? MLB is tainted as sport by NY and "most money wins" tradition.
"If a player kicks our behind...buy him"
Yankees Motto
My rec league team could use a back up catcher. He'd fit right in. He would bat 7th or 8th on our team. Call me Jorge.
Da Bums just use you and dump you, Hope you get traded and beat them at their own game.
Hey Jorge can you at least buy me a taco before you retire, i am sure you can still afford it.
Oh well I always liked Jorge, but he has made a ton of money so its not that bad.
Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.
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