I'm awaiting CNN and Fox News to break in with this story...
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Now Kim Jones tweets that a source says there's no back issue.
This is more exciting than the game
trust me, this is the game that nobody in the media watched, at least on the Yankee side.
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
I respect jorges pride, but I find tonight a real bitch move. I love the guy and will never say anything negative but tonight sucks. Suck it up dude, you're basicaliy 40
I respect jorges pride, but I find tonight a real bitch move. I love the guy and will never say anything negative but tonight sucks. Suck it up dude, you're basicaliy 40
this has the potential to turn into an ugly year :?
i post on the board of a band that doesn't exsist anymore .......i need my head examined.......
go out quietly dude...they took care of you for 20 fucking years and you're gettiing millions this year to do di ck
Just the way both he and Girardi spoke makes it hard to believe. They spoke slowly, but not enough to really measure their thoughts and what they said was hardly said with conviction.
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Reading 2004
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016 Fenway 2, 2018 MSG 2022 St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023 MSG 2024, MSG 2024 Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
It's probably just me, but I've always had this thought that Girardi doesn't really like Posada. I don't know why I think this but I do.
Shows: 6.27.08 Hartford, CT/5.15.10 Hartford, CT/6.18.2011 Hartford, CT (EV Solo)/10.19.13 Brooklyn/10.25.13 Hartford
"Becoming a Bruce fan is like hitting puberty as a musical fan. It's inevitable." - dcfaithful
It's probably just me, but I've always had this thought that Girardi doesn't really like Posada. I don't know why I think this but I do.
Well he lost his job to him...
So, did you guys like Joe & Tim burying the Yankees last night? They're so old, it's a young man's game, they look tired, no amphetamines, blah blah. Like they're just gonna quit or something. :roll:
Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; WF Center 10/21/13; WF Center 10/22/13; Baltimore 10/27/13; WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
buster olney's take...I never knew posada came up as an infielder.
We will never hear just one unchallenged version of what actually took place on Saturday evening between Jorge Posada and the men for whom he works, because frustration, anger, pride and public relations seemed to spawn three or four different versions, like garden weeds. By the time Posada finished answering questions, his words contradicted, in one way or another, those of Manager Joe Girardi, GM Brian Cashman and his wife, Laura Posada.
But really, the he-said, he-said, he-said, she-said is irrelevant at this stage. The bottom line is that Posada is 39 years old and failing at the last task the Yankees' decision-makers believe he can handle: being a designated hitter. The only thing saving his job this morning is his two decades of history with the franchise.
If his name were Jose Canseco or any of the other short-time designated hitters intermittently employed by the Yankees when Posada was an All-Star catcher, he would already be out the door, based on his production. His on-base percentage is .272 and he has a .165 batting average, which ranks dead last among 193 qualified players. The Yankees' offense has been atrocious, with a lineup that looks old and lethargic, and Girardi is desperately seeking some help. Nothing could be easier than to replace the guy with the worst production and stick somebody else's name in the designated hitter spot.
But it's all more complicated than that. Posada was part of arguably the greatest team in the last half-century, the '98 Yankees, and it was Posada who shared the embrace with Mariano Rivera at the end of the '99 World Series, and then again in 2000, and 2009. He is a five-time All-Star, a five-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award and somewhere he has tucked away five championship rings. His resume makes him a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, and regardless of whether he is ever honored at Cooperstown, there will be standing ovations whenever his name is called at Old-Timers Day games.
It's important to remember, though, that his time with the Yankees has not been the generally seamless journey that Rivera has taken. Posada is a converted second baseman and it took Joe Torre and bench coach Don Zimmer years to buy into his defense behind the plate; for years, they preferred Girardi over Posada, and Posada knew it.
Through the years, some pitchers haven't liked throwing to him, from David Cone to A.J. Burnett. Some of them felt that he never fully embraced the concept of doing what made the pitcher most comfortable, and instead stubbornly clung to his own opinions about what the next pitch should be. Some pitchers on the staff have been angered, through the years, by Posada's vociferous arguments with umpires over the strike zone during his at-bats; it's generally accepted by catchers that their own plate appearances are secondary in importance to lobbying the home plate umpire on behalf of their own pitcher.
Posada has generally said the right things publicly about the Yankees' decision to remove him from the catcher's role since the start of spring training, but still, a discernable tension over the issue has remained in place. Posada loves to catch, and to this day would probably prefer to be in that role. The fact is that many rival scouts and general managers have, for years, regarded him as one of the worst at the position, because of how he receives the ball and because of his tendency to drop pitches.
So the marriage between Posada and the Yankees has been strained from time to time through the years, with both sides working to make it work.
But now the frustration has spilled out, among the meetings and phone calls and statements to reporters on Saturday night, all of it gnawing away at any deference that the organization felt it owed Posada. Even if he arrives at Yankee Stadium today and apologizes and asks for a mulligan for all of Saturday's machinations -- before a nationally televised game in the middle of an important series against the Red Sox -- Posada's standing with the club will probably be based almost solely on his production.
Cashman has demonstrated beyond any doubt that he is not only willing to be the instrument of change with the team's older players, he views it as his responsibility to the Steinbrenners. He stonewalled Derek Jeter's contract requests last fall, offering significantly less than what the shortstop wanted, and when Jeter wasn't happy with the Yankees' proposal, it was Cashman who suggested that Jeter should test his market value. In other words, what the GM was saying was: We don't owe you more money just because you want it, no matter what you've accomplished here. If Cashman had maintained full control of the Jeter negotiations, he wouldn't have budged from the team's initial offer.
It was Cashman who told Posada he would be no longer be a catcher for the Yankees, and it was Cashman who met with Posada on Saturday evening and encouraged him to play -- and when Posada declined to be part of the lineup, Cashman declined to protect him from his own actions, telling reporters immediately that Posada had asked out and that injury wasn't involved.
And you can bet that in the hours and days ahead, as Cashman considers ways to augment a sluggish offense and makes his recommendations to the Steinbrenners, he will make a hard assessment about Posada. If they asked today, Cashman's unvarnished version would fall along these lines: The player in question is among the least productive in the majors, he's not versatile, he's not happy and as of Saturday his standing is a distraction. We have many alternatives, internally and externally.
The Yankees could use the DH spot as a way to rest veterans like Alex Rodriguez, or they could promote Jesus Montero; however, they might prefer to leave him in Class AAA to continue his development at catcher. They could also call around to other teams and ask about players like the Mets' Carlos Beltran.
Posada may or may not be in the lineup tonight against Boston lefty Jon Lester; he's 0-for-24 against lefties this year. He may or may not be in the lineup Monday, when the Yankees face Tampa Bay's David Price. If he plays again -- if the Yankees don't move to sever ties with him immediately, which is an option they have probably already discussed internally -- then he will have to show right away that he can be a productive hitter again.
Regardless of which version you choose to believe in Saturday's drama -- that of Posada, or Cashman, or Laura Posada -- the whole episode probably accelerated his departure from the Yankees.
Jorge Posada MLB Ranks This Season
Stat Average MLB Rank
BA .165 Last
OBP .272 153rd
Slug pct .349 129th
OPS .621 141st
>>Minimum 125 PA (172 qualifying players)
Lee Singer of ESPN Stats and Info has more on Posada's production:
Part of Jorge Posada's poor start can be explained by a .164 batting average on balls in play, by far the lowest among 194 qualified players. However, it can't all be blamed on bad luck, as Posada's batted ball profile isn't helping. His line drive rate is just 11.4, which is the sixth lowest among qualified players and would be by far his lowest since data is available in 2002. His well-hit average from Inside Edge backs this up. At just .193, it would also be his lowest since Inside Edge started tracking the stat in 2006.
Jorge Posada Lowest Line Drive Rate, Since 2002
Year Avg. Rate
2011 11.4
2004 17.3
2005 18.0
2010 18.5
>>20.0 since 2002
Perhaps as a result of declining bat speed, Posada has also struggled with fastballs this season, especially those with a higher velocity. Posada has four homers off fastballs this season. None of have been on pitches 93 mph or above.
Jorge Posada vs Fastballs 93-plus mph, Last 3 Seasons
Stat 2009-10 2011
BA .260 .136
Slug pct .510 .182
Miss pct 16.1 20.0
This was just one more example of how the Yankees have to deal with their rotting core, writes Joel Sherman. Girardi is in a no-win situation, writes John Harper. The Posada situation has become a mess, writes Ken Davidoff.
The relationship between Girardi and Posada is in crisis, writes Bob Klapisch.
Posada told Andruw Jones to be ready to play, writes Kristie Ackert. David Ortiz thinks the Yankees are doing Posada wrong.
Josh Beckett was dominant against the Yankees, and got a lot of help from Adrian Gonzalez.
I think David Ortiz should keep his fucking mouth shut.
Really?
Ortiz: “You don’t do that. But that’s what I’m trying to tell you guys. The confusion, the frustration that you’re living in sometimes makes you make mistakes. He’s not perfect. He’s a human, just like everyone else. He probably [thought] it was the right thing to do, but now you see that [it wasn’t].’’
Here´s a guy that might have comitted something stupid in his career (juice). Someday, when the court-ordered seal is released, we will know the truth. Ortiz speaking out, giving posada some support, friend to friend, colleague to collegue, what is wrong with that?
I think David Ortiz should keep his fucking mouth shut.
Really?
Ortiz: “You don’t do that. But that’s what I’m trying to tell you guys. The confusion, the frustration that you’re living in sometimes makes you make mistakes. He’s not perfect. He’s a human, just like everyone else. He probably [thought] it was the right thing to do, but now you see that [it wasn’t].’’
Here´s a guy that might have comitted something stupid in his career (juice). Someday, when the court-ordered seal is released, we will know the truth. Ortiz speaking out, giving posada some support, friend to friend, colleague to collegue, what is wrong with that?
yeah i have no problem with that either. guy was asked a question and gave an honest answer. it's refreshing.
I think David Ortiz should keep his fucking mouth shut.
Really?
Ortiz: “You don’t do that. But that’s what I’m trying to tell you guys. The confusion, the frustration that you’re living in sometimes makes you make mistakes. He’s not perfect. He’s a human, just like everyone else. He probably [thought] it was the right thing to do, but now you see that [it wasn’t].’’
Here´s a guy that might have comitted something stupid in his career (juice). Someday, when the court-ordered seal is released, we will know the truth. Ortiz speaking out, giving posada some support, friend to friend, colleague to collegue, what is wrong with that?
I agree with you. It was nice of Ortiz to say something. Someone asked what he thought about the situation and it looks like he gave an honest answer.
Shows: 6.27.08 Hartford, CT/5.15.10 Hartford, CT/6.18.2011 Hartford, CT (EV Solo)/10.19.13 Brooklyn/10.25.13 Hartford
"Becoming a Bruce fan is like hitting puberty as a musical fan. It's inevitable." - dcfaithful
Shows: 6.27.08 Hartford, CT/5.15.10 Hartford, CT/6.18.2011 Hartford, CT (EV Solo)/10.19.13 Brooklyn/10.25.13 Hartford
"Becoming a Bruce fan is like hitting puberty as a musical fan. It's inevitable." - dcfaithful
I see where you guys are coming from on the Ortiz thing, I just don't like opposing players commenting on how their rivals run their team. Just not his place in my opinion.
This team is having a hell of a time right now. They need to get playing better baseball pretty quickly. Last night started off so great and it went to hell after the 2nd. Quite frustrating.
Yeah, i read that the other day as well. Crazy story. A lot of people will call him a punk for that fight and his drinking but there is definitely a reason he acts that way. I am definitely pulling for this kid to make it. No one should be living out of a truck in high school.
Comments
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
This is more exciting than the game
trust me, this is the game that nobody in the media watched, at least on the Yankee side.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
exciting? we're heading towards a 80's bronx zoo season
go out quietly dude...they took care of you for 20 fucking years and you're gettiing millions this year to do di ck
this has the potential to turn into an ugly year :?
Just the way both he and Girardi spoke makes it hard to believe. They spoke slowly, but not enough to really measure their thoughts and what they said was hardly said with conviction.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
this is my take on the whole thing.
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
Albany 2006 Camden 2006 E. Rutherford 2, 2006 Inglewood 2006,
Chicago 2007
Camden 2008 MSG 2008 MSG 2008 Hartford 2008.
Seattle 2009 Seattle 2009 Philadelphia 2009,Philadelphia 2009 Philadelphia 2009
Hartford 2010 MSG 2010 MSG 2010
Toronto 2011,Toronto 2011
Wrigley Field 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Brooklyn 2013 Philadelphia 2, 2013
Philadelphia 1, 2016 Philadelphia 2 2016 New York 2016 New York 2016 Fenway 1, 2016
Fenway 2, 2018
MSG 2022
St. Paul, 1, St. Paul 2 2023
MSG 2024, MSG 2024
Philadelphia 2024
"I play good, hard-nosed basketball.
Things happen in the game. Nothing you
can do. I don't go and say,
"I'm gonna beat this guy up."
"Becoming a Bruce fan is like hitting puberty as a musical fan. It's inevitable." - dcfaithful
Well he lost his job to him...
So, did you guys like Joe & Tim burying the Yankees last night? They're so old, it's a young man's game, they look tired, no amphetamines, blah blah. Like they're just gonna quit or something. :roll:
WF Center 4/28/16; WF Center 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; WF Center 9/7/24; WF Center 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
We will never hear just one unchallenged version of what actually took place on Saturday evening between Jorge Posada and the men for whom he works, because frustration, anger, pride and public relations seemed to spawn three or four different versions, like garden weeds. By the time Posada finished answering questions, his words contradicted, in one way or another, those of Manager Joe Girardi, GM Brian Cashman and his wife, Laura Posada.
But really, the he-said, he-said, he-said, she-said is irrelevant at this stage. The bottom line is that Posada is 39 years old and failing at the last task the Yankees' decision-makers believe he can handle: being a designated hitter. The only thing saving his job this morning is his two decades of history with the franchise.
If his name were Jose Canseco or any of the other short-time designated hitters intermittently employed by the Yankees when Posada was an All-Star catcher, he would already be out the door, based on his production. His on-base percentage is .272 and he has a .165 batting average, which ranks dead last among 193 qualified players. The Yankees' offense has been atrocious, with a lineup that looks old and lethargic, and Girardi is desperately seeking some help. Nothing could be easier than to replace the guy with the worst production and stick somebody else's name in the designated hitter spot.
But it's all more complicated than that. Posada was part of arguably the greatest team in the last half-century, the '98 Yankees, and it was Posada who shared the embrace with Mariano Rivera at the end of the '99 World Series, and then again in 2000, and 2009. He is a five-time All-Star, a five-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award and somewhere he has tucked away five championship rings. His resume makes him a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, and regardless of whether he is ever honored at Cooperstown, there will be standing ovations whenever his name is called at Old-Timers Day games.
It's important to remember, though, that his time with the Yankees has not been the generally seamless journey that Rivera has taken. Posada is a converted second baseman and it took Joe Torre and bench coach Don Zimmer years to buy into his defense behind the plate; for years, they preferred Girardi over Posada, and Posada knew it.
Through the years, some pitchers haven't liked throwing to him, from David Cone to A.J. Burnett. Some of them felt that he never fully embraced the concept of doing what made the pitcher most comfortable, and instead stubbornly clung to his own opinions about what the next pitch should be. Some pitchers on the staff have been angered, through the years, by Posada's vociferous arguments with umpires over the strike zone during his at-bats; it's generally accepted by catchers that their own plate appearances are secondary in importance to lobbying the home plate umpire on behalf of their own pitcher.
Posada has generally said the right things publicly about the Yankees' decision to remove him from the catcher's role since the start of spring training, but still, a discernable tension over the issue has remained in place. Posada loves to catch, and to this day would probably prefer to be in that role. The fact is that many rival scouts and general managers have, for years, regarded him as one of the worst at the position, because of how he receives the ball and because of his tendency to drop pitches.
So the marriage between Posada and the Yankees has been strained from time to time through the years, with both sides working to make it work.
But now the frustration has spilled out, among the meetings and phone calls and statements to reporters on Saturday night, all of it gnawing away at any deference that the organization felt it owed Posada. Even if he arrives at Yankee Stadium today and apologizes and asks for a mulligan for all of Saturday's machinations -- before a nationally televised game in the middle of an important series against the Red Sox -- Posada's standing with the club will probably be based almost solely on his production.
Cashman has demonstrated beyond any doubt that he is not only willing to be the instrument of change with the team's older players, he views it as his responsibility to the Steinbrenners. He stonewalled Derek Jeter's contract requests last fall, offering significantly less than what the shortstop wanted, and when Jeter wasn't happy with the Yankees' proposal, it was Cashman who suggested that Jeter should test his market value. In other words, what the GM was saying was: We don't owe you more money just because you want it, no matter what you've accomplished here. If Cashman had maintained full control of the Jeter negotiations, he wouldn't have budged from the team's initial offer.
It was Cashman who told Posada he would be no longer be a catcher for the Yankees, and it was Cashman who met with Posada on Saturday evening and encouraged him to play -- and when Posada declined to be part of the lineup, Cashman declined to protect him from his own actions, telling reporters immediately that Posada had asked out and that injury wasn't involved.
And you can bet that in the hours and days ahead, as Cashman considers ways to augment a sluggish offense and makes his recommendations to the Steinbrenners, he will make a hard assessment about Posada. If they asked today, Cashman's unvarnished version would fall along these lines: The player in question is among the least productive in the majors, he's not versatile, he's not happy and as of Saturday his standing is a distraction. We have many alternatives, internally and externally.
The Yankees could use the DH spot as a way to rest veterans like Alex Rodriguez, or they could promote Jesus Montero; however, they might prefer to leave him in Class AAA to continue his development at catcher. They could also call around to other teams and ask about players like the Mets' Carlos Beltran.
Posada may or may not be in the lineup tonight against Boston lefty Jon Lester; he's 0-for-24 against lefties this year. He may or may not be in the lineup Monday, when the Yankees face Tampa Bay's David Price. If he plays again -- if the Yankees don't move to sever ties with him immediately, which is an option they have probably already discussed internally -- then he will have to show right away that he can be a productive hitter again.
Regardless of which version you choose to believe in Saturday's drama -- that of Posada, or Cashman, or Laura Posada -- the whole episode probably accelerated his departure from the Yankees.
Jorge Posada MLB Ranks This Season
Stat Average MLB Rank
BA .165 Last
OBP .272 153rd
Slug pct .349 129th
OPS .621 141st
>>Minimum 125 PA (172 qualifying players)
Lee Singer of ESPN Stats and Info has more on Posada's production:
Part of Jorge Posada's poor start can be explained by a .164 batting average on balls in play, by far the lowest among 194 qualified players. However, it can't all be blamed on bad luck, as Posada's batted ball profile isn't helping. His line drive rate is just 11.4, which is the sixth lowest among qualified players and would be by far his lowest since data is available in 2002. His well-hit average from Inside Edge backs this up. At just .193, it would also be his lowest since Inside Edge started tracking the stat in 2006.
Jorge Posada Lowest Line Drive Rate, Since 2002
Year Avg. Rate
2011 11.4
2004 17.3
2005 18.0
2010 18.5
>>20.0 since 2002
Perhaps as a result of declining bat speed, Posada has also struggled with fastballs this season, especially those with a higher velocity. Posada has four homers off fastballs this season. None of have been on pitches 93 mph or above.
Jorge Posada vs Fastballs 93-plus mph, Last 3 Seasons
Stat 2009-10 2011
BA .260 .136
Slug pct .510 .182
Miss pct 16.1 20.0
This was just one more example of how the Yankees have to deal with their rotting core, writes Joel Sherman. Girardi is in a no-win situation, writes John Harper. The Posada situation has become a mess, writes Ken Davidoff.
The relationship between Girardi and Posada is in crisis, writes Bob Klapisch.
Posada told Andruw Jones to be ready to play, writes Kristie Ackert. David Ortiz thinks the Yankees are doing Posada wrong.
Josh Beckett was dominant against the Yankees, and got a lot of help from Adrian Gonzalez.
I think David Ortiz should keep his fucking mouth shut.
Really?
Ortiz: “You don’t do that. But that’s what I’m trying to tell you guys. The confusion, the frustration that you’re living in sometimes makes you make mistakes. He’s not perfect. He’s a human, just like everyone else. He probably [thought] it was the right thing to do, but now you see that [it wasn’t].’’
Here´s a guy that might have comitted something stupid in his career (juice). Someday, when the court-ordered seal is released, we will know the truth. Ortiz speaking out, giving posada some support, friend to friend, colleague to collegue, what is wrong with that?
big fans in the bleachers
yeah i have no problem with that either. guy was asked a question and gave an honest answer. it's refreshing.
"Becoming a Bruce fan is like hitting puberty as a musical fan. It's inevitable." - dcfaithful
"I don't believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass." --- Pedro Martinez
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/pro ... ntful-day/
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/ ... id=6555665
"Becoming a Bruce fan is like hitting puberty as a musical fan. It's inevitable." - dcfaithful
I love this. Posted it the other day. Thats a hell of a way to start a fight.
Damn, this kid has been through a lot. No wonder why he's fucked up in the head
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011 ... salvation/
Yeah, i read that the other day as well. Crazy story. A lot of people will call him a punk for that fight and his drinking but there is definitely a reason he acts that way. I am definitely pulling for this kid to make it. No one should be living out of a truck in high school.