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July 13, 2007
Posada: I'm Looking Forward To Free Agency
From Newsday -
The Yankees reversed their stance on negotiating with players during the season in warming to that idea with Alex Rodriguez. Should they do the same with Jorge Posada, who will be a free agent this winter, he is not interested.
Posada plans to explore free agency, period. If the Yankees had been interested in a contract extension in spring training or last winter, he would have been open to it. But not now.
"There's no sense for me to negotiate something now when I can wait and see what happens," Posada said. "I mean, I want to wait."
Posada, 35, has been in the Yankees organization since signing in 1991. Asked if he could envision playing for another team, he said he would see this winter.
"I don't know," Posada said. "I want to see. I've never experienced free agency. I'm looking forward to it. It's the first time ever."
Returning to the Yankees is what Posada hopes is the end result. "Of course. It's the only team I've ever known, the only team I've ever played for, but if they don't want me back, then I won't come back here."
This is the second time in a month that Posada has said that he wants to hit the market.
I hope that Cashman and the Yankees handle Posada better this off-season than they did Andy Pettitte during November-December 2003.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at July 13, 2007 08:21 AM
Comments
If Cashman lets either Posada or Mo leave, he should not merely be fired, but tarred, feathered and run out of town on a rail.
Posted by: rbj ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 13, 2007 09:22 AM
That's a nice quote, "if they don't want me back, then I won't come back here." Translation: if they don't offer me 4 years at $15 per, I'm leaving. With the season he's having and the market for catchers, everything is lining up for the soon-to-be 36 year old Posada.
If I'm Cashman, my offer is 3 years at $10 per, take it or leave it. If he leaves, I see what Atlanta thinks of Tabata and Kennedy for Saltalamacchia.
Posted by: Andy at July 13, 2007 11:22 AM
If he leaves, I see what Atlanta thinks of Tabata and Kennedy for Saltalamacchia.
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If he leaves, I see the Braves asking for more than that.
Posted by: Raf at July 13, 2007 11:33 AM
If he leaves, I see the Braves asking for more than that.
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That's exactly right. They should go after Salty right now so it lessens Posada's leverage. If Posada is gone, then the Braves will have the Yankees over a barrel.
As odd as it sounds, the Yankees need to re-sign Posada more than they do Mo. Yeah, Mo is irreplaceable and the best ever, but they can fill his role as closer. There's NO ONE to fill Posada's role -- they don't have any kids that are ready, and there's no one on the market. The Yankees would probably have to end up giving up one of their pitching prospects for a catcher not nearly on the level of Saltalamacchia.
They should see what the Braves want. I would consider trading any of the pitching prospects but Hughes and Chamberlain, and I wouldn't give up Tabata or Austin Jackson, either. But I would give up Melky.
Posted by: baileywalk at July 13, 2007 12:30 PM