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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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.
our girls 8U team could use a catcher ...just sayin'
Jorge there is a rocking chair that await you.
I've met this guy at fund raises, Superman is what I called him. We need more people like him to give to others, May be his time has come to do other things.
Time to pack it in Jorge
Jorge has been a great Yankee. Love his toughness. Never liked his defense. But at this time I go with the move.
However I don't think we have seen the last of Posada.P inch hitter- Once the playoff roles around, it will be great to have a guy like him off the bench. When he does get his next opportunity, which he will ( chavez will get hurt) he must come through. I really like chavez, and he will help us. As far as blaming the Yankees.... come on. As much as you would love to see Posada playing well, it is just not happening. 17 years as a catcher take its toll. Now if he were a good defensive catcher ( ala Varitek) he would see time behind the plate. He is actually fortunate the Yankees have enough heart to even keep him. ( they are smart enough, as there would be plenty backlash). But if you look at it from a purely baseball stance, he would be gone. So get off the Yankee brass.;.. this is a tough spot.
will trade him for gerald larid he sucks as a backup we will give the yanks larid and then give them 2 minor leaugers jorge would like st louis almost every catcher who came here has
Some times it good to bench a guy. But this catcher needs to get a fire in his soal something to make him more agresive at the plate. Hell tell he's going to be traded to the Cubs.
It doesn't take a great ball player or great manager to read the stat boxes ... Posda needs to be thinking about a third base coach job somewhere.
And that's the bottom line
Posada--I can think of a dozen teams that would put a bat in his hand
get rid of Burnett he is useless
It's a GREAT time to BUY LOW!
When does the destruction of the working class end? When we start fighting back.
Everyday, more and more millionaires are made, but the middle class is destroyed.
HOW???????
Because the rich are able to take advantage of certain aspects concerning the market. There are ways for all of us to do this as well.
G○○gle the term "FASTMARKETCASH" all one word and click the very first site. Go right to the penny' stock page to see what the rich do not want you to know.
DO THE ABOVE AND SEE WHAT THE TRUTH IS!
maybe you can go hang out with clemens and dye each others hair
Posada's ego has always been substantially larger than his talent. If he didn't play in NYC and if he didn't have a need to whine to the press about it, this would not be news.
I'm still amused that he thinks his wife, who he once said didn't give him the time of day in HS, wanted him for anything other than money and a lifestyle.
now go hang out with bernie and bring jeter with you
The guy now only has his yearly paycheck of $13m for succor. Poor baby.
I'm a Posada fan but his time is past. He can't catch anymore (and was mediocre behind the plate during his best years) and a DH is supposed to be a weapon NOT a liability.
maybe joe G. doesn't like mexicans very much.
I believe the Giants need a catcher
Posada was hitting great (7 homers in 15 games) until they started benching him early in the year for no good reason... Then they just slowly played him less and less... Play the guy everyday and see how good he hits... He's still got the pop.
Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.
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