Posada’s Throwing Concerns
Via Newsday -
Jorge Posada’s shoulder is going to be a work in progress, unless the Yankees determine that it isn’t working. “Then we’ll have some decisions to make,” general manager Brian Cashman said.
The Rangers stole four bases in four tries against Posada Tuesday night, with the third of Ian Kinsler’s steals setting up the winning run. Joe Girardi said that shouldn’t all be put on the back of Posada, who was on the disabled list from April 28 to June 3 with right rotator cuff tendinitis.
“It takes everyone to throw someone out,” the manager said, adding that Posada is experiencing no pain. If anything, it is a matter of “getting underneath the ball” in his throwing motion. “I think I know his heart, I know how important playing is to him,” Girardi said.
But Cashman did acknowledge, “We’re staying with three catchers for a reason, because we’re still evaluating how he’s coming through this. I’ve seen some good throws and I’ve seen some times when he’s not throwing well. He’s not feeling any pain, he’s doing his work. Every day is a test and we see how he comes through those tests.”
With Hideki Matsui out, the Yankees have some options here. You can have Posada be the D.H. – or, play Posada at first and then have Jason Giambi be the D.H.
Shoot, Posada may be the Yankees first baseman next year (if he cannot catch) – so, why not have him get some time there this season?
The trick to all this is that Brett Gardner has to hit. You cannot have Jose Molina in the line-up everyday, along with a season-long slumping Cano (although Robby did look good last night) and a struggling Melky Cabrera. That’s like spotting the other team a free nine outs per game.
If Gardner can hit, and that forces Melky to the bench, then you can carry Molina’s weak bat. However, otherwise, the whole thing won’t work.
With Matsui out it seems like common sense to play Po at DH and 1st.
I still think Moeller is having a better year than Molina…at least he takes a pitch.
All good points, though Cano seems to be coming out of it lately
His numbers the last 25 games:
.319/.333/.457
You’d like his OBP to be higher, but that’s right in line with his career numbers, so I guess that’s what we can expect from him, even when he’s going good.
Actually that OBP is a little low for his career. I was looking at this overall numbers, this years low number included. The last two years he’d been around the .350-.360 range.