From Erik Boland:
ON IF TOLD WHO WILL CATCH AJ: “Molina’s probably going to catch A.J. (pause). So, that’s it.”
ON IF IT BOTHERS HIM: “I just hope we win that game, that’s all. That’s all I got to say.”
ON IF HE’LL DH THAT DAY: “I don’t know. Matsui’s our DH, so we’ll see. I don’t know.”
ON WHEN JOE TOLD HIM: “He talked to me on Sunday (long pause). It’s not like I didn’t see it coming.”
ON IF THERE WAS BACK-AND-FORTH IN CONVERSATION WITH JOE: “Manager’s decision.”
I do not love this move, but I can only assume that AJ has told Girardi that he is more comfortable with Molina. AJ has said that the game is mostly mental for him, and having the guy he trusts back there is apparently extremely vital for him. I wonder if this means that AJ starts Game 3, as I cannot see the Yankees sitting Posada twice in a 5 game series.
What do you think about this move?
Related posts:
I’m not a fan of the move, although I understand it. A.J. does seem to strike out more hitters and walk fewer hitters when working with Molina. However, I’m not sure if Molina is the one coaxing these performances out of Burnett or if it’s a matter of coincidence, with Burnett fixing mechanical flaws in his delivery and settling in at the right time. Either way, the decision has been made and it’s on Girardi and Burnett. If A.J. provides a clunker, then we’ll never hear the end of it.
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The other Chris H Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I agree I’m not so sure if it’s Molina making Burnett better or if it may simply be that Burnett has no confidence in Posada to block balls in the dirt and there for isn’t as comfortable or confident in throwing the curve ball. You can tell Girardi really doesn’t want to do this but if AJ personally asked then I guess you have t try and accommodate if you can in order to get he best outing possible from him.
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I agree with Moshe, If AJ has his head up his ass to this extent, that we sit a warrior with all those years for AJ’s psyche, then he is starter number three. Unless he wants to guarantee 8 innings of three-hit pitching.
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The other Chris H Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Yeah I think I have to agree on this one, if AJ only wants to pitch to Molina then he can’t be trusted to be the number two starter on a team with world series ambitions, sooner or later though he has to get over this, doesn’t he?
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The other SteveS Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Plus, Molina will likely be gone next year. Hope AJ likes Frankie…
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No brainer.
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You knew it was coming but it still hurts having Posada or Matsui on the bench.
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molina is a much better defensive catcher then posada, if you believe that pitching and defense win titles then this is the proper move, and if posada being the veteran that he says he is should forget his pride and defer to the manager who obviously thinks this gives the yankees the best chance to win on the days burnett pitches, and i even think posada believes winning is more important then his pride, at least i hope he does.
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The other Chris H Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I don’t think Girardi is doing this for defense he is doing this because AJ asked for it and it’s clear Girardi doesn’t like it. It has nothing to do with Posada’s pride this time, our line up is no where near the same with out him or Matsui in a game. Starting Molina against the Angels makes sense they run a lot but starting Molina twice in any series doesn’t make sense, especially when you have to sit a huge bat to do so because AJ can’t pitch to certain catchers which is bogus.
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Old Ranger Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I disagree with those that think a catcher has no influence on a pitchers game. I have been there and done that, as the saying goes. Each pitcher has a mental pitcher of the pitches they want to throw at any given time or situation, if the catcher and he are on the same page things go a lot better and keeps the rhythm going. It is hard enough pitching a good game when everything is right, let alone if you are second guessing your catcher all the time.
Some of the greatest pitchers have had their own catchers, why not AJ? If he feels good out there, he may give us a much better chance of winning. Oh, yes, I know AJ is not a star but, let him pitch to whom ever he wants behind the plate.
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