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November 13, 2007
Hip, Hip, Cha-Ching
The Yankees have signed Jorge Posada. It's reportedly a four-year deal worth $52.4 million.
Here’s the skinny on this one.
Posada can be hard-headed at times. That’s bad in that it sometimes makes pitchers not too hot on working with him. But, it’s also good in that he’s one of the few players in the Yankees clubhouse willing to publicly call-out the team when it looks like they’re mailing it in.
Defensively, because of his hands, at best, Jorge is a middle-of-the-pack catcher. However, he is in great shape and is extremely durable.
With the bat, it’s reasonable to expect Posada to post another .275-20-90 season in 2008 – with many walks thrown in for good measure.
The biggest issue on Jorge’s side now is that he’s 36-years old.
Because of that last item, in terms of a standalone business transaction, this deal for the Yankees is folly. But, again, that’s looking at it in terms of Posada’s age, the length of the contract, and the money involved.
However, because of the Yankees need for a catcher, and the issues of supply and demand in the back-stop market, the Yankees had no other choice but to make this deal (at this time).
In 2011, we may be counting down the days for the end of Posada’s Yankees career – and lamenting over the fact that the team is paying a near-40-year old catcher so much money, etc. However, at that time, we should remember this day – and reflect on the fact that this deal, in the overall big picture, made sense at the time and was the right thing to do.
It’s the best possible bridge until the Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, P.J. Pilittere, Kyle Anson, Austin Romine and Chase Weems types may be ready to help at the big league level.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 13, 2007 09:10 AM
Comments
Out of that group, Montero and Romine are the best hitting prospects but neither is a lock to remain behind the plate (although Montero has a good arm and could improve his footwork). Cervelli and Anson are the best catch-and-throw guys but neither projects to be more than a decent BUC-type. Montero, Romine and Weems are at least 3 years away. Let's hope Jorge can stop the bleeding on his defensive skills long enough to allow the Yankees to wait on them.
Posted by: JohnnyC ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 13, 2007 10:15 AM
Given the team's needs, the lack of adequate replacements in free agency or within the organization, this deal had to happen. Posada will do a fine job in 2008 and 2009 and should be ready to transition to 1B/DH/backup C/bench duty sometime around 2010. Sure the team will be likely carrying him as dead weight in that last part of his deal. But, as you said, it was absolutely imperative when he signed his deal in 2007.
If the team is serious about trying to remain competitive in 2008, this was a move that had to be made.
I hope Mo's not too far behind (although I hope it's not for four years).
Posted by: MJ at November 13, 2007 10:15 AM
Quite frankly,now is the time to start developing the catcher ,closer and 3rd base,1st base and yes,shortstop of the future.The time is now.This gives the Yanks a couple of years to work on this project.But the work is not finished yet,Mo and Pettitte need to be resigned.This was the fist step in making the Yankees a viable playoff caliber team in 2008.
Posted by: butchie22 at November 13, 2007 11:37 AM
Tyler Kepner is reporting that the offer for Mo is 3 years $45 million. He wont get a better offer than that on the open market.
Posted by: Rich M at November 13, 2007 12:19 PM
I would think not. That's a lot for a closer of his age. Almost any age.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 13, 2007 01:16 PM
Cervelli and Anson are the best catch-and-throw guys but neither projects to be more than a decent BUC-type.
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I disagree with you about Cervelli, Johnny. He had a month-long slump that hurt him, but Cervelli held his own in high-A with the bat (albeit with no power) and he'll only be 22 next year. With no upper-level catchers of any value, you have to assume he'll be seeing AA to start the season or at some point.
He might in fact end up a BUC, which would still make him semi-valuable, but I don't think the book is written on him just yet.
Posted by: baileywalk at November 13, 2007 02:11 PM
Don't like the Posada deal. Mr. Passed Ball. He had a career year at 35/36 and this is the deal, a typical bad Yankees contract. This season, Posada stunk at blocking pitches. How many wild pitches, that don't show on Posada's stats, should have been blocked. Likely to get worse.
As for Mariano, enough already. An offer that is more than fair and probaly too much. Mariano has already made more money than any closer in history. $15 million per, and at his age, is overly generous.
Posted by: Don at November 13, 2007 02:51 PM
Don't like the Posada deal. Mr. Passed Ball. He had a career year at 35/36 and this is the deal, a typical bad Yankees contract. This season, Posada stunk at blocking pitches. How many wild pitches, that don't show on Posada's stats, should have been blocked. Likely to get worse.Quote
I don't like that fact that Posada is Mr Passed ball either,but the Yanks lost their offensive monster Arod and they really can't stand to lose another offensive piece of the pie.We have to look at the alternatives:Torrealba,LoDuca,Barret,Are they really improvements?I can see Barrett getting into some fights this time with Girardi!That would make good theatre but not good baseball!The same thing could be said about any trades as well.Look it's the same thing with signing someone like Lowell.You can spend money on a great defender and a patient and decent bat or trade your farm/future for an overweight bad defending,great hitter.
Posted by: butchie22 at November 13, 2007 06:39 PM