Monday, April 28, 2008

Can the Yankees survive without Jorge Posada?

The Yankees will be without their catcher for at least two weeks, but as many of you know a trip to Dr. Andrews usually leads to surgery, so two weeks could turn into to two month, or even longer. But as Mark Fiensand points out on his blog today the Yankees have a very deep lineup. One that should be able to still score runs without Posada's bat. Jose Molina is also a decent hitter, nowhere close to Posada, but decent. And defensively he's clearly better than Posada and he also calls a great game.

There is however another layer to losing Posada, his toughness and leadership not only on the field, but off the field as well. He's the Yankee who gets in other guy's faces if he doesn't like what he's seeing. He's also shown many times through the years that he will stand up for his teammates if he has to.

Derek Jeter is "The Captain" and he leads by example on the field, but Posada is more of a vocal leader. I've heard many people, including experts, say that Posada may even be more of a captain than Jeter is.

This is what Tyler Kepner had to say this morning:
Posada is just tough. That’s the easiest way to put it. In seven years on the Yankees’ beat, I have seen him get drilled in the nose by a relay from point-blank range on a double play. I’ve seen him bowled over by the massive Mark Teixeira – and respond by hitting a game-ending home run.
But for the players, there’s an intangible to having Posada on the field — and in their face. He is brutally honest with his teammates, and players need that. That’s why it was so poignant to see someone as tough and direct as Posada succumb to shoulder pain today and go on the disabled list for the first time in his career. We’ve known for a while now that Posada has a tear (all strains are tears, remember) in his subscapularis muscle. But until today, it seemed he would play through it. He would tough it out

"It's shocking, in a sense, to me," manager Joe Girardi said. "It's a little tough spot, but we've been in a few of them this year. We'll get through it." I think Girardi is right, and I do think this team will get through this somehow, but what do you think?

Can the Yankees survive without Jorge? And if he misses several months, should the Yankees trade for, or sign a catcher, if so, who?

4 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Losing Jorge is tough. I think the offense will survive without him, so does the defense with Molina now in full responsibility. Jeter no longer looks like the leader on this team any more. He says nothing, always being so political. Sometimes, I think it's just too much to always say the right thing. Ever since last year, Arod seems to be more of a leader. He speaks with passion and leads by example. At least the young ones in the clubhouse are following his footsteps.

Greg Cohen said...

Yea I agree, a post game interview with Jeter is worse than watching paint dry. Which is fine, I guess, I mean he isn't going to say anything stupid by saying nothing. By again, it's mind numbingly boring.

A-Rod has been much better with the press since last spring training. And I think Jorge is by far the most honest of the three.

I happen to think that these early season problems/injuries/struggles will make this team stronger in the end. I just hope Jorge isn't done for the year.

Anonymous said...

Not many options out there, one guy I would try and trade for is Ronny Paulino, one guy I would sign and give him a chance is Doug Mirabelli. Either of these guys would be the backup to Molina.

Greg Cohen said...

Trading for Paulino would be nice, but it would leave the Yankees in a bit of a bad spot next year. They'd have three catchers under contract, all of which are too good to have in the minors. They would eventually have to turn around and probably trade Paulino next year.

I hate Mirabelli with a passion, and it has nothing to do with how he plays. He's just a Red Sock, so I hate him.

I really don't think it would be a bad idea to call up P.J. Pilittere from Trenton and see what he can do.