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February 15, 2007
The 40-Year Old Back-Up Catcher
Cliff Corcoran, at Bronx Banter, takes a look at the Yankees back-up catcher situation this season.
This is a serious issue for New York this year. Since Joe Girardi left the team, look at the number of games started (behind the plate) for the Yanks each season by someone not named "Jorge Posada":
Season - No. of Starts
2000 - 25
2001 - 35
2002 - 30
2003 - 32
2004 - 36
2005 - 39
2006 - 41
As you can see, as Posada gets older, the more he is being rested - which makes sense. But, this also means that the Yankees back-up catcher will start one out of every four games this season.
Therefore, the Yankees second-string catcher is not really a "back-up" - more so, he's a quasi- or semi-half-regular (for lack of a better term).
The Yankees options for their second catcher this season? A 40-year old Todd Pratt and zero-stick Wil Nieves. Most expect Pratt to win the job.
As I once noted here: The last time the Yankees had a 40-year old catch a game for them was 1904 (Deacon McGuire).
Nine-teen-oh-four.
The Yankees have known since the end of last season that they needed a capable second-backstop. The fact that their answer to this matter has been Pratt (and, to an extent, Nieves) is embarrassing. And, it might just end up costing them a win or two this season.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at February 15, 2007 10:06 AM
Comments
Agreed on all points, and I've made them myself in past postings. Going with another old guy is wasting an opportunity to bring along a new guy, a pattern that worked so well with Jorge. The thing that infuriates me is that a young kid with a good arm couldn’t do less at the plate than a Fasano or Stinnet or Greene. If they can get a kid with good defensive skills, it ought to be a no brainer. The bench is calling pitches in clutch situations anyway, and the staff has enough mature guys that don't need a seasoned catcher to talk them through rough spots. There is enough pitching depth in the minors to seek a young, blue chip catching prospect. They need to sign Jorge for 2 more years with an option for a third year based on playing time (actually the same deal ought to work for Mo - and I'd like to see them signed before they leave Florida), and use that time to get things aligned for the 6-8 year period down the road.
Posted by: #15 ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 15, 2007 11:51 AM
Going with another old guy is wasting an opportunity to bring along a new guy, a pattern that worked so well with Jorge.
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Perhaps that speaks to the organizational depth, or lack thereof, of catchers?
The Yanks have been unbelievably lucky the last few years WRT the durability of Posada
Posted by: Raf at February 15, 2007 12:40 PM
Right on, Steve. 40-50 games is not an insignificant sum. But it is enough time for the likes of Nieves or Pratt to adversely impact the course of the season. And if Jorge goes down for an extended stay on the DL? Exactly - they're screwed.
I still say Cash should've overpaid for Zaun or Barajas.
Posted by: brockdc at February 15, 2007 01:42 PM