« A Good Story Always Gets You In The Door | Main | A Parking Spot For Pavano? »
December 05, 2006
Posada In The Catbird Seat
Jorge Posada, on 2008 and beyond, via Newsday -
Posada is entering the final year of his contract and said his agent has not yet begun renegotiations with the Yankees. "After 2007, I'm a free agent. I can test the market if they want me to," he said with a grin that comes with the security of being a desirable commodity. "My agent will look into it, but we'll test the waters if we have to."
Jorge will be 35 next season. Yes, there's a ton of logic that says you do not sign a 36-year old catcher to a multi-year contract. So, part of me says that the Yankees should consider letting Posada walk.
However, there's no one in the Yankees pipeline close to being ready to catch in the big leagues, full-time, in 2008. Michael Barrett will be a free agent after 2007 - and Pudge Rodriguez might be as well - but, there's no wealth of catchers expected to be available when Jorge's contract is up.
The Yankees have no choice but to re-sign Posada after 2007 - and Jorge's camp knows that. They could make things very hard for the Yankees come the winter of 2007-08.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 5, 2006 09:09 AM
Comments
The Yanks might want to overpay slightly for 2 years. In 2 years they should be able to find alternatives in the market (or from within?) without being tied to a 38 year old catcher in 2010.
Posted by: MJ ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 5, 2006 10:42 AM
How about 2 years with a 3rd year option -- Jorge might look good at first, or DHing, plus be a backup catcher/tutor.
Posted by: rbj at December 5, 2006 10:48 AM
I bet he's going to want a 4-year deal. Varitek got that at the end of 2004. Posada might be a very expensive back-up catcher come 2010 and 2011.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at December 5, 2006 11:00 AM
Yikes. An eight-figure salary for a 39 year old backup catcher?
Posted by: MJ at December 5, 2006 01:06 PM
As mentioned in an earlier e-mail, the Yankees need a good young catcher that can be developed, not another Sal Buffet Fasano, in the back-up role. Maybe trade some of those recently acquired young pitchers for a studdly backstop. Jorge for '07 and '08 will be fine. He keeps in good shape, is rarely injured, and his plate discipline over the past few years, clutch hitting, still improving defensive skills, and relationship/trust with the pitchers have been a real anchor point for the team. 2 years and options/buyouts for one or two more ought to get it done, and it ought to be done. I see indications that, with some capable back up to accept the load along the way, Jorge can still be productive for 3-5 years. This will make him a rare, but not unheard of, commodity (Fisk and a few others). Conditioning and a day off on a regular basis will be key over the next several seasons. I know I liked the idea of trying to get Zuan, but the team needs to think younger here while they have the luxury of some time.
Posted by: #15 at December 5, 2006 04:40 PM