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November 06, 2007
Posada Wants 4-Year Deal
From the Daily News -
Posada appears ready to make the Yankees work for his services, according to sources familiar with the discussions, as the five-time All-Star catcher plans to wait until he can hear offers from other teams before making a decision.
Posada and the rest of his fellow free agents can begin fielding offers from other teams a week from today, though clubs are free to express their interest in free agents now without discussing money.
After the Yankees opted not to give Posada a contract extension during spring training, the catcher expressed his desire to play out the season and wait until the end of the year to discuss a new deal.
Given last month's events, which included the departure of Joe Torre and Alex Rodriguez's opt-out, Posada will wait to see what offers come in from other teams before making any decision.
The biggest sticking point for Posada may wind up being the length of a deal, as the 36-year-old is seeking a four-year pact, according to sources, who said the Yankees have internally discussed an offer of three years and $40 million. With the Mets expected to be one of the teams in the bidding, Posada plans to see what his market value is, though the Yankees likely will do whatever they must in order to retain the popular 11-year veteran.
I've already gone on record saying that maybe it's not insane to offer Posada a four-year deal.
Then again, the last time the Yankees had a 40-year old catch a game for them was 1904 (Deacon McGuire).
If the Yankees do end up giving Jorge the four years, it would make sense to get a good back-up catcher - so that Posada is not cooked before the end of the contract.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 07:38 AM
Comments
Molina's a decent BUC (given that no BUC is really good). Three years + an option year? Yankees need Posada, probably even more than they need Mo. At the end, Posada could spend time at first (the Piazza fiasco was due, IMO, to the fact that Mike didn't want to play first, I think Jorge would be more amenable) or as a switch hitting DH. Plus, he got a late start catching so his knees aren't as shot as most catchers' are.
Posted by: rbj ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 6, 2007 08:16 AM
A 4 year contract is OK.Jorge can become a DH or share 1st with Duncan or Phillips in the future.Molina did a good job this year ,so it would make sense to bring him back.BTW,both Jorge and Posada played first before being a catcher.
Posted by: butchie22 at November 6, 2007 08:24 AM
"get a good back-up catcher"
Other than a team with a hot shot rookie getting ready to take over, Molina is pretty much as good as it get when it comes to BUC. Solid defensively and will get his hits at the plate. Posada should look forward to regular rest for the seasons that Molina is in there.
Posted by: j at November 6, 2007 08:47 AM
I've heard the arguments against it, but I really think the Yankees messed up by not signing Posada and Rivera to extensions in the spring- now they've got to open the vault while offering more years at the same time. And I don't see that they have any choice. We need those two guys back.
Posted by: JeremyM at November 6, 2007 09:02 AM
It also helps that Posada has played 1b in the past.
Posted by: Raf at November 6, 2007 09:25 AM
which was already mentioned... gotta get my morning coffee
Posted by: Raf at November 6, 2007 09:27 AM
If the choices are 1) sign Jorge to a 4 year deal or 2) lose him, I say sign him up. His veteran leadership could really help with what is becoming a very young pitching staff.
Posted by: mickleib at November 6, 2007 10:47 AM
The only issue with having Posada play 1B in the 3rd or 4th year of the deal is that his bat, by then, may not be as good as someone like Juan Miranda or Jesus Montero (who could be playing 1B by then).
For me, this deal means that Posada is a $13 mill back-up catcher in the 4th year - and maybe a platoon catcher in the 3rd year.
But, hey, that's better than what Giambi got paid this season - and will be paid next season.
This will be a case where the Yankees budget allows them to eat the last two years - to cover their butt for next year and 2009.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 11:13 AM