From Pete Abraham:
Xavier Nady has been cleared to play in an extended-spring-training game in Florida today. He has been on the disabled list since April 16 with a partially torn elbow ligament.
Nady, Jorge Posada (right hamstring), Jose Molina (left quad) and Cody Ransom (right quad) started working out at the team facility in Tampa yesterday.
Posada hopes to play in a game as early as tomorrow.
“It’s now a matter of getting into baseball shape,” he told The Associated Press after taking batting practice, throwing and running.
If Posada plans on getting into a game by tomorrow, you can expect both him and Nady back within 10 days. Nady’s return seems to create no issues with the roster. he will replace Angel Berroa, and will probably split time with Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher once he can play the field. Posada’s return, However, brings to mind the question of what the Yankees are going to do once Molina is healthy as well, as the Yankees are unlikely to carry three catchers.
Frankie Cervelli has played well, showing great defensive skill while being poised at the plate. However, with Posada’s health a question mark, the Yankees may need to take roster considerations into their thought process. If they let Molina go so as to carry Cervelli and then Posada gets hurt again, they are left with Cash as the backup catcher once again. I would guess that they send Cervelli down to keep him in reserve in case of another injury. He will be given every chance to win the backup catching position in 2010.
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Agreed. Cervelli goes to AAA and Molina gets the backup job. Next season, Cervelli should likely win the backup job, and the Yanks can let Molina go.
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Until the trading dead line, I agree with your assessment!
If all the catchers are healthy come the deadline, I think the Yanks will entertain trading one of the two (Molina/Cervelli) but, it will take much more for Cervelli then Molina (if, they even think of trading Cervelli).
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I hope not. If they trade one and Posada gets hurt, you have Cash catching during a pennant race.
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Old Ranger Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I see your point but, I said; “One of the two”, not both. So, if Posada gets hurt…we still have Cervelli (or Molina) and Cash.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Right, which would mean Cash playing twice a week down the stretch. That’s a problem for me.
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Old Ranger Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
True but, not that much difference then having Molina twice a week. Granted, Molina has it over Cash but, for 2 times a week…we will survive, with only one black hole.
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I think Cervelli showed enough this year to get the chance next. I would believe he gets sent down once Molina comes back.
I think the bigger dilema would be whose spot does Nady take? Angel Beroa would be the choice of most fans but I wonder if the front office will insist on having two Util Inf. Nady can play third in a pinch so again you’d like to rid yourself of Angel… but for some reason I would not be surprised if Gardner went packing. I sure hope not though.
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Molina is fat and slow, though obviousl a very good defensive catcher.Cervelli brings energy and a competence behind the plate not often seen in young catchers.
Molina should go when we can get something for him from someone desperate for a catcher.
There’s a lot’s of young catching talent in the minors that is getting close.
Molina won’t be getting better at his weight, Cervelli will be getting better and better and doesn’t need 3 singles to score from first base.
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Old Ranger Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Very sharp of you Lefty…
Although there are a few teams that would love to have Molina as their catcher. He is a very fine catcher, more so on a team with young pitchers. I still agree with you in that Cervelli is more in line with the future of the Yanks.
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