Face to face Brian Cashman informed Jorge Posada that he will be the Yankees' designated hitter next season, The Post has learned.It was also reported in the article that Posada will undergo some minor surgery repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, similar to the surgery that CC just went through.
Cashman met with Posada in Manhattan this week to tell the veteran to, as usual, prepare to catch, but the team's first option is to have youngsters Jesus Montero, Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine compete in spring training for the two primary jobs.
It is quite a risk to team an expensive, mostly veteran staff with such inexperienced catchers. But it is indicative of how much the Yankees believe Posada's defensive game has slipped in all areas.
It is possible that plans could change if the Yankees use one of the catchers in a trade and/or they feel there is enough budget left to secure a free agent such as John Buck. For now, though, the Yankees are going to hope that Montero, in particular, is advanced enough to handle a significant portion of the catching as a way to begin working the top prospect's ultra-promising bat into the lineup.
According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, Posada was "fine" with the message that turns the 39-year-old switch-hitter into primarily a DH, a role he has struggled with and has shown no affinity for previously.
As I've said before, this is clearly the right time for Jorge to make this move, and it's the smart thing for the Yankees to do. I just hope Cashman has as easy a time when he has to sit down and have the same conversation with Derek Jeter.
