My position on Jorge Posada is well documented so I’m sure it wont surprise anyone where I stand on last nights events. If you haven’t heard, last night, Jorge Posada was penciled in to the 9 spot in the order by manager Joe Girardi. Instead of taking the move in stride, Posada took himself out of the lineup and refused to play. The Yankees were not pleased. Rumor has it that they immediately contacted the commissioners office to inquire about suspending Posada and this incident may significantly shorten his time with the organization.
Posada is a DH only at this point in his career. He was never a good defensive catcher and pitchers have complained about him for years, but he could always hit. He’s a five time All Star and a career .273 hitter with 267 HRs. This year however, Posada is 39 years old and is 18 for 109, making him good for a .165 avg, dead last in hitters that qualify for the batting title. It was based upon this lack of production, not his past success, which does not help the team win games now, that Posada was hit last in the order. The 9 spot is usually reserved for the worst hitter in the lineup and right now that’s Posada. I’m all for honoring past achievements and recognizing a player’s contributions to a team and organization but that should take place off the field, it should not have any influence on the day to day on field operations of the club.
It is based on that thought process that I evaluate not only Posada, but Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and even Andy Pettite. I was actually all for giving Jeter his money this past off season. Though I thought the $20 million a year that Jeet wanted was a bit excessive considering his lack of on field performance the previous year, I thought he should be compensated for the incredible public image he has and has provided for the Yankees organization. He is the face of the franchise and a face to be proud of and should be rewarded for it. That said, I’ve already written on Off The Bench that I think Jeter should hit 8th in the lineup based on his hitting this season.
I truly believe in a “what have you done for me lately” approach to managing position players in the Major Leagues. When you are paid millions to win at all costs, you play the hot hand and you sit the guys who don’t produce. I’m not advocating abandoning players by any means but Posada is coming off a season in which he hit .248 with his lowest homer total over a full season since 1998. Right now he is the worst hitter among the starters and if he’s going to play, he should hit low in the order. Nick Swisher, also struggling, was moved to 8th in the lineup yesterday and used it as motivation. He said something to the effect of “whatever helps the team I’ll do.” That is the correct mentality. David Ortiz said after yesterday’s game that the Yankees are doing Posada wrong. I see where Ortiz is coming from as a veteran who has struggled in the past but he is dead wrong. At a certain point, a player is just a player and you can’t keep hurting the team to pad one guy’s ego.
I believe Girardi was right to hit Posada 9th and will be right to move Jeter when the time comes and to move Rivera if the time comes (though now there is certainly no indication that’s anytime soon). Posada has never been accused of being the ultimate team player but he’s got to man up and do what’s best for the Yankees, not what’s best for Jorge. The Yankees shouldn’t overreact to a clearly frustrated veteran but they are well within their rights to take whatever steps they think are necessary to rectify this situation.
Right Now, Andruw Jones is a better option at DH and when he comes back, Eric Chavez will be too and that’s exactly how the Yankees should play it. Frankly, Posada should appreciate that the Yankees still let him see the field, considering that performance wise, he would struggle to keep a bench spot on most other teams.
Stat of the Day: Roy Halladay has pitched 6 or more innings in 58 straight road starts and is 26-6 against the NL East.
-Max Frankel
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