Comments on: Jorge is an awful catcher

By: Rob A from BBD

Rob A from BBD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:01:36 +0000

Jorge was an awful defensive catcher in the playoffs. A number of times I felt like he cost the Yankees runs. He looked lost against the bunt. I don’t think he’s that terrible, I felt like he was just temporarily struggling, and that is probably where Harper is getting this from.

Despite all of that I would want Posada to be the regular starter for at least 120 games unless he is platooning with Jesus Montero. But I don’t think that will work because I’m not convinced that he’s ready. Maybe they could do that by the all-star break.

By: leftylarry

leftylarry — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:54:50 +0000

DaveinMD: He is not an awful catcher.He’s an average catcher.

He's awful.Good on pop-ups, decent thrower, terrible at everything else.

By: misterd

misterd — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:51:59 +0000

Posada has a hard time blocking pitches and is OK at throwing out runners. Calling games? That’s hard to say, because the quality of the pitcher is so important. I think it fair to say Posada is probably an average to below catcher, with an above average bat. But even with a defense heavy position like Catcher, the bat countsmore.

Still, I don’t see him starting more than 100 games behind the plate, and with injuries may only do about half. Having a rotating DH to give him, Damon (if resigned), ARod, Jeter a day off an help keep the team fresh.

As for a weak batter in the 9 hole, in 1998 (a pretty good team, no?) we had Chad Curtis, 243 .355 .360. Other weak hitters from the Dynasty era:

1997 – Girardi – 264 .311 .334
2000 – Brosius .230 .299 .374
2001 – Knoblauch .250 .339 .351.

Let’s be honest – we had the best offense by far this season. We can takea hit here as long as we shore up our pitching and defense.

By: DaveinMD

DaveinMD — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:08:22 +0000

He is not an awful catcher. He’s an average catcher.

By: leftylarry

leftylarry — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:05:46 +0000

Jorge is an awful catcher.That being said, let Molina go and let Cervelli catch AJ and Joba with Jorge doing more DH-ing.He’s also a terrible base runner and though a great hitter for a catcher, not so great as a DH, though with healthy hands he could hit even better.
The young catchers will be ready in 2 years and there are probably 5 of them.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:08:29 +0000

I definitely see what you’re saying with regards to run prevention Matt. I only wonder if Ramiro Pena or, I guess, Francisco Cervelli will save enough runs to warrant a spot in the lineup (especially if their bats aren’t hitting anything). I’m not sure if the cost is worth it. A-Rod will improve at third next season, I would assume, after having his hip surgery which made him very immobile earlier in the year. In 2007 and 2008, according to UZR, he was an average third baseman, therefore, having him as the DH doesn’t mean that runs are being saved left and right. Derek Jeter was average in 2008 and above average in 2009. They’re not gaping holes at their positions, far from it actually, therefore, the person in for them would have to be able to be Brett Gardner-like in the IF (Ramiro Pena is good, but I don’t think he’s that good). If not, then the runs saved aren’t worth it when compared to the runs lost, if there was a regular DH.

Also, why can’t the Yankees continue to rotate players in and out of the DH spot with a regular DH signed on? For instance, Matsui needs days off for his knees, which would allow A-Rod, Jeter, Posada or even Damon, if he returns, to filter through the DH role. It’s not like they can’t rotate players with a semi-regular DH on the team. This would allow them to save runs while still retaining their powerful offense.

By: DaveinMD

DaveinMD — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:45:54 +0000

Molina should not be back under any circumstances. The only reason to cut down Posada’s catching is to keep him fresher as as he ages. Having his bat at Catcher is a huge advantage. In essence trading Matsui’s bat for Molina’s would erase much of the distance between the Yakees and Boston.

By: Matt F.

Matt F. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:57:58 +0000

Chris,

I’m not sure the argument is that the offense can or will sustain the same offense that it does with Matsui in the DH role, but rather the rotating DH is a necessary evil due to the aging players the Yankees will employ in the next few years.

In fact, I agree with the rotating DH position. Your argument is correct that an inferior offensive player would continue to receive at bats, however the Yankees do have the supporting offensive pieces (I believe) to make up for this weakened offensive lineup.

The point that has been made, but can’t be overstated is the fact that the defense would also be improved without Posada at catcher, Damon in LF, or Rodriguez/Jeter on the left side of the infield. This site always talks of run prevention being a much overlooked aspect of building a team, but in this specific example, you are overlooking it.

How the team goes forward this offseason will be interesting. If the Yankees decide to go with the rotating DH, Matsui will be gone. Now, this is where the Yankees can get creative. Bring in a solid fourth outfielder, one that can be an offensive contributor on days where a Damon (if he is in fact re-signed) DH’s. This way, you can retain some of the offense and actually gain a defensive upgrade (any option in LF is a better option than Damon defensively).
Obviously, catcher is a different story as you will certainly lose quite a bit in the downgrade in offense with a backup catcher in the lineup (there are no league average hitting backup catchers that I am aware of).

As Harper points out however, sitting/DHing Posada for 80+ games is just stupid and makes no sense as that is biggest offensive dropoff (Posada to backup catcher).

My point is that the Yankees can make a rotating DH situation work, while not losing too much in the offense category while improving the defense and keeping older players fresh for a whole season.

Because health is such a vital part of this Yankees team (we see what happens when players aren’t healthy – 2008), I see the DH as a vital component to keeping certain players healthy for a whole season.

By: The Scout

The Scout — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:29:44 +0000

On the whole, I agree with this post. As I understand it, the Yankees have talked about holding the DH spot to give regulars a rest. But it isn’t clear which regulars will need it in 2010. There is no one player who would need more than 40-odd games in that role; the only one likely to approach 40 is Posada. He is more likely to transition to DH duty the following year, when presumably Montero is ready to take over some of the catching duties without being a black hole at the plate. As for the others, I would be surprised to see any besides A-Rod get at least 10 games at DH.

The wild card in all this is Damon. The Yankees don’t care for his defense, so he could end up seeing the majority of his ABs in the DH role. But that presumes an adequate left-field solution. Unless the Yankees go after Holliday, there isn’t a good LF answer ont he FA market. We’ll have to see how this plays out in the weeks to come. I would not be surprised to see the Yankees make an offer to Damon with a firm deadline, then turn back to Matsui as DH if Damon declines.