Posada sees future in front of him 
NEW YORK – Most times, the player is the last one to know.
He still thinks he is capable to doing the same job he has been doing for years and performing at the same high level throughout his career.
Unfortunately, father time reaches everyone and no one is immune no matter what you try to do to escape it.
For Jorge Posada, only know has the reality begun to reach him.
Once one of the most durable players in the league at an age where the durability of the position has a shelf life and any more is nothing more than gravy, Posada has given the Yankees far more than they ever could have.
He was an ironman for most of this career. Posada played at least 137 games every year since 2000 before playing only 51 in 2008 and 111 in 2009. This year, a hairline fracture sidelined him for three weeks, raising more questions about his decreasing durability.
While this has gone on, the Yankees have found a revelation in Francisco Cervelli, a man being called-up last season, was in Double-A and hitting .190, needed only due to the team simply needing a catcher after an injury to then backup catcher Jose Molina.
Cervelli was merely to be a stopgap and nothing more. Instead, he made the most of his chance, displaying tremendous defense and a good arm to throw out runners. He quickly became a favorite of the pitchers, and even showed an ability to handle the bat.
This year, during the times Posada was out, Cervelli has performed admirably. No longer a hole in the lineup, he was actually a threat. In early May in Boston he drove in a career high five RBI, and at one point was 11-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Seeing Cervelli improve on his game to such a degree caused many in the base along with the (drive by) media to say that he should be the full-time catcher when Posada returned (he returned to the lineup on Wednesday). Those same people then wanted to have the veteran take the currently vacant DH role occupied by no one as Nick Johnson is out until at least August.
Posada, as prideful a person as you will meet, bristled at the thought of not being a catcher anymore. The thought of relinquishing his role as on-field captain did not sit well with him, and that in part spurred his quick return to the team after doctors told him the hairline fracture in his foot was going to keep him out for nearly a month.
It takes no genius to tell he can see the future and it does not include him. Posada’s four-year contract expires after the 2010 season. Cervelli is 24 and behind him are two more premium catchers in Jesus Montero and Austin Romine in the minor leagues poised to make an impact with the big club either in 2011 or 2012.
Catchers usually decline in their mid-30’s, but the Yankee catcher (much like Mariano Rivera has done as a closer) has beaten father time. However, the bill eventually is due.
“I understand what’s going on,” said Posada after last Wednesday’s game. “We’ll see what happens. There’s going to be a time when I’m not an everyday catcher. It’s been tough (physically) the last couple of years.
Therein lays the problem. When healthy, there is no better switch-hitting catcher in baseball. Few players at his position provide the production and lethal offense that he does. Now it is on the Yankees to find a way to get maximum value out of him while keeping him healthy and playing mostly every day.
“Catching is the best (position) in the world. You’re involved in every aspect of the game. It’s a challenge. You work with different pitchers. You’re going to see me behind the plate soon. I still have my glove, my gear. I’m not at that age yet.”
The Yankees best lineup is one that has Posada in it and behind the plate at catcher during the postseason. As well as Cervelli has played, there is no getting around the fact the team is less off if his bat is in there as opposed to Nick Johnson (assuming he returns), especially against high quality pitching.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, if they want me to DH or be behind the plate,” Posada would later say. “I’m in the lineup. That’s all that matters.
At age 38, Posada is still a threat with the bat, but consistently being able to remain in the lineup has been an issue for the long-time backstop.
Even he knows now time is running out.
NEW YORK – Most times, the player is the last one to know.
He still thinks he is capable to doing the same job he has been doing for years and performing at the same high level throughout his career.
Unfortunately, father time reaches everyone and no one is immune no matter what you try to do to escape it.
For Jorge Posada, only know has the reality begun to reach him.
Once one of the most durable players in the league at an age where the durability of the position has a shelf life and any more is nothing more than gravy, Posada has given the Yankees far more than they ever could have.
He was an ironman for most of this career. Posada played at least 137 games every year since 2000 before playing only 51 in 2008 and 111 in 2009. This year, a hairline fracture sidelined him for three weeks, raising more questions about his decreasing durability.
While this has gone on, the Yankees have found a revelation in Francisco Cervelli, a man being called-up last season, was in Double-A and hitting .190, needed only due to the team simply needing a catcher after an injury to then backup catcher Jose Molina.
Cervelli was merely to be a stopgap and nothing more. Instead, he made the most of his chance, displaying tremendous defense and a good arm to throw out runners. He quickly became a favorite of the pitchers, and even showed an ability to handle the bat.
This year, during the times Posada was out, Cervelli has performed admirably. No longer a hole in the lineup, he was actually a threat. In early May in Boston he drove in a career high five RBI, and at one point was 11-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Seeing Cervelli improve on his game to such a degree caused many in the base along with the (drive by) media to say that he should be the full-time catcher when Posada returned (he returned to the lineup on Wednesday). Those same people then wanted to have the veteran take the currently vacant DH role occupied by no one as Nick Johnson is out until at least August.
Posada, as prideful a person as you will meet, bristled at the thought of not being a catcher anymore. The thought of relinquishing his role as on-field captain did not sit well with him, and that in part spurred his quick return to the team after doctors told him the hairline fracture in his foot was going to keep him out for nearly a month.
It takes no genius to tell he can see the future and it does not include him. Posada’s four-year contract expires after the 2010 season. Cervelli is 24 and behind him are two more premium catchers in Jesus Montero and Austin Romine in the minor leagues poised to make an impact with the big club either in 2011 or 2012.
Catchers usually decline in their mid-30’s, but the Yankee catcher (much like Mariano Rivera has done as a closer) has beaten father time. However, the bill eventually is due.
“I understand what’s going on,” said Posada after last Wednesday’s game. “We’ll see what happens. There’s going to be a time when I’m not an everyday catcher. It’s been tough (physically) the last couple of years.
Therein lays the problem. When healthy, there is no better switch-hitting catcher in baseball. Few players at his position provide the production and lethal offense that he does. Now it is on the Yankees to find a way to get maximum value out of him while keeping him healthy and playing mostly every day.
“Catching is the best (position) in the world. You’re involved in every aspect of the game. It’s a challenge. You work with different pitchers. You’re going to see me behind the plate soon. I still have my glove, my gear. I’m not at that age yet.”
The Yankees best lineup is one that has Posada in it and behind the plate at catcher during the postseason. As well as Cervelli has played, there is no getting around the fact the team is less off if his bat is in there as opposed to Nick Johnson (assuming he returns), especially against high quality pitching.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, if they want me to DH or be behind the plate,” Posada would later say. “I’m in the lineup. That’s all that matters.
At age 38, Posada is still a threat with the bat, but consistently being able to remain in the lineup has been an issue for the long-time backstop.
Even he knows now time is running out.
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