Comments on: Not The Problem

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:54:06 +0000

What does he have on Molina? I agree that he’s a great defensive catchers but great defensive catchers are almost synonymous with backup catchers. He may do well on balls he hits in play but he can’t be a starter unless he walks or hits for power.

I have looked at his numbers on the farm and why wouldn’t I think like others that he’s another Molina? The guy has hit a grand total of 2 career homeruns above A-ball. He’s showed good patience in the minors so maybe it just hasn’t translated yet but many times players in the low minors can boost their OBP because they have guys like Betences and Brackman down there who don’t know where the ball is going. I’m not saying the guy won’t improve but he’s shown me exactly no evidence that he’s capable of keeping his OBP above .320 or slug above .350. His wOBA this season is .279 where THT puts a replacement-level catcher at .275. Keep in mind, most people also think he’s playing over his head.

By: Old Ranger

Old Ranger — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:31:50 +0000

Cervelli has had little playing time, this always hurts a players hitting numbers. He was moved to catcher because he was a good athletic ball player with good hitting skills and arm but, not a good enough infielder to stick. As a catcher, he is acceptable even without the HR power…(not for the Yanks) after all, he is hitting around .303 as a part time player.
You may have seen his numbers on the farm and thought (like some others) that he was another Molina…not so!

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:41:05 +0000

Cervelli is in no way good enough to be a starting catcher. He’s had a few hits of course but he has an OPS+ of 73 this season and it’s actually on it’s way down as evidenced by the 49 OPS+ in the past 10 games. He’s got to learn one of two things, to either take a walk or hit an occasional double or homerun. I just don’t know how you can be anywhere near a league average hitter without doing one of those.

As for him calling games, sure let him catch CC and AJ if they’re comfortable with him but what do you do when Molina returns? I have a hard time believing that they’ll carry three catchers as Cervelli and Molina are pretty much the same player right now other than the fact that Cervelli can run a bit more.

By: Old Ranger

Old Ranger — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:34:29 +0000

Joe is between a rock and a hard place, if he caves to having Cervelli catch AJ/CC he will slap Posada in the face…ego, will take a hit. Nothing but trouble on the horizon.
I still think AJ/CC should have their comfort zone…Cervelli. Not so with Joba, he is still learning his craft, he should follow the experience of Posada.
Cervelli is good enough to be a starting catcher but, not with the Yankees, we have better prospects on the farm…all be it, a few years away.
My question is; Does Joe think of the team or the ego of one man? If he sits Posada, he may cause more of a problem with one of his better ballplayers, even though Posada could use the rest…keep him fresher.

By: Moshe Mandel

Moshe Mandel — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:48:09 +0000

H lauded a rookie when asked. I dont see that as a hit on Jorge.

By: Basil Fomeen

Basil Fomeen — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:42:13 +0000

CC praised the heck out of cervelli. I see that as an endorsement, which I can also interpret as an indirect hit on Posada. He’s never went out of his way to laud Jorge. And you’re right it will not happen regularly, Girardi will not let it happen… for many reasons. Least of which is Posada’s contract.

By: Moshe Mandel

Moshe Mandel — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:24:49 +0000

Never said that. But AJ’s comments let us know how he felt- he was actually asked to compare the two, and he candidly said he couldn’t explain why he was better with Cervelli, but the point was clear- that he was better with Cervelli. CC’s never even hinted at that. If he did, I think you would have a stronger case to overturn many years of history.

By: Steve S.

Steve S. — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:17:54 +0000

So you’re waiting for pitchers to come out publicly and bash their fellow teammate, and put their name to it. Guys who just signed here a few months ago.

I give up.

By: Moshe Mandel

Moshe Mandel — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:15:18 +0000

Cervelli being great =/= Posada not good. Cervelli is obviously gifted, that does not mean Posada is not good at calling a game or that CC is not comfortable with him. And as I said above, Madden’s statements do not seem to be informed by more than the same speculation we are using.

By: Steve S.

Steve S. — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:05:43 +0000

See my above reply.

I also saw CC interviewed after Cervelli’s first game with him (BALT?) and he was using the same terms that AJ was. ‘It was so easy’ and ‘it was like he was reading my mind’. I would imagine YES has it somewhere but I’m too lazy to look it up.