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The underlying loss of Jorge Posada’s injury
By Chad Matejicka on July 28th, 2008 3:39 PM |
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Despite the Yankees resurgent winning ways, the recent loss of Jorge Posada for possibly the remainder of the year, could be most devastating. Although everyone knows that Derek Jeter is the captain of the team, if you ask anyone in that locker room, past or present, that has played with Posada, they will tell you that he is the heart and soul of the team.
Posada would be the first one to tell a player that they need to step up or be the first one to protect one of his teammates if the situation presents itself. Furthermore, when big games arise down the stretch and eventually in the postseason, Posada’s leadership and experience with the staff is something that cannot be replaced.
This is not meant to disrespect the excellent job that Jose Molina has done, as he is one of the best backup catchers in the league and has a ton of experience. Unfortunately though, he is not Jorge Posada. Posada knows Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina best and is better suited to handle the young arms of the Yanks, such as Joba Chamberlain and Darrell Rasner, in pressure situations.
While the Yankees are steam rolling along now and there are talks of Posada possibly returning to DH or play 1B, I just do not see it happening based on the diagnosis that he received. Having a torn labrum will make it extremely difficult for Posada to hit, nevermind possibly throwing home or to 2nd while playing 1B.
All Yankee fans know Posada is very competitive and has plenty of guts, but he should just opt for surgery now and hope that he is ready for the 2009 season, as he will require six months to recover. In the meantime, expect the Yankees to be looking hard at Jose’s brother Bengie Molina of San Francisco and Baltimore’s Ramon Hernandez as a possible short term solutions.
In no way are the powerful Yankees incapable of winning the division, the pennant, or the World Series without Posada. It is just going to be more difficult than many sports writers and fans seem to think.
There are currently 8 responses to “The underlying loss of Jorge Posada’s injury”
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I don’t think anyone would argue with you about the leadership and guts that Jorge brings to the table, but you’ll face a lot of opposition if you don’t think Molina is an upgrade in the way he handles the pitching staff. Posada has never been lauded for his defense, and on the contrary, throughout his entire career you’ve heard rumblings that the pitching staff didn’t like throwing to the guy, most notably Randy Johnson, who demanded his own personal backstop. If anything, Yankee pitching is exceeding expectations right now, and that’s all happening with Molina behind the dish. A better question is whether the Yanks believe Molina can hold up under the strains of catching every day – he’s already been on the DL once this year…
Posada is a great player. However he was batting.268 overall, hitting .250 with RISP, and .214 in July. He threw out 17% of baserunners compared to Molinas 48%. The Yanks lineup is better off right now
Actually while Posada has never been considered a great defensive catcher he is usually mentioned as one of the better catchers in the league as far as working with pitchers goes. Even with Randy Johnson, he didn’t like throwing to him, but his best performances were when he was behind the plate.
The only other person I’ve ever heard who doesn’t like to work with Posada is Mussina and really is there anything he hasn’t complained about?
Posada is not a very good catcher. He is a decent hitter, but behind the plate, Molina is without doubt an upgrade. It is time for Posada to step aside and become coach or something….I mean if he is such a good leader, then he should coach. He hangs on to Jeter and picks up his scraps…even his hot wife was a Jeter scrap….and he is afraid to block the plate…one time in over 10 years did I see him block the plate against the Texas Rangers and he got trucked…..and he hit the game winning home run in the bottom of the 10th….so that is his only defining moment….that and pointing to his head when Pedro was throwing at guys….what a mary….
not so. he blocked it twice.
Rob,
Excellent point about Mussina. Randy Johnson as well as Mussina are both whiners who want their way. So having those two complain does not say much. When guys like Pettitte, Cone, Wells, El Duque, Clemens and Rivera do not complain, I wouldnt think that there would be an issue.
If giving Posada a 4 year deal at 36 was a major risk, there is no question. While he has 4 years left in him at this point, it is better served as being a part time catcher while also being a DH and 1B as he can still stroke. Posada within the next year has to become what Girardi was to him. The only problem is the Yankees do not have any young catching prospects who are anywhere near close to being ready for the big leagues.
Fran,
I do remember that play. That was one of the great Yankee comebacks. Mark Teixeira I believe ran him over but Jorge hung on. Also, great photo by Gozer as well of what looks to have been Hinske?
yup thats hinske, and hes a mac truck coming to home plate, thats probably when posada got hurt and just never realized