The Burnett/Posada Question Lives On
Via John Harper –
With Jose Molina gone this year, the question of whether Jorge Posada catches A.J. Burnett in the postseason wasn’t supposed to be an issue, and maybe it won’t be. But more and more it’s starting to look as if Francisco Cervelli might be the new Molina.
Essentially Cervelli has been Burnett’s personal catcher this season, even if Joe Girardi insists it has just worked out as the best way to give Posada the days off that he needs.
And Burnett’s ERA is dramatically higher with Posada behind the plate this season. So even though there have been no signs of them clashing as batterymates as they did last year, something still doesn’t seem to click.
It’s a limited sample, to be sure, as Posada has caught only 38 of Burnett’s 178-1/3 innings pitched this season, but the righthander’s ERA is 7.28 with Posada behind the plate, compared to 4.35 with Cervelli.
Girardi must have his own reservations or certainly at this point in the season he would make it a point to have Burnett and Posada work together, if indeed he plans to pair them together in the postseason.
Yet once again Cervelli was catching Wednesday night for Burnett’s start against the Rays.
It’s pretty obvious, for the last two seasons now, that Girardi will not catch Posada when Burnett is throwing. Then again, the Yankees did win a ring last year with this “situation.” So, it can’t be used as an excuse for anything this season, can it?
Burnett, OPS against with various catchers:
Cervelli: .729 in 118 IP
Moeller: .835 in 19 IP
Posada: 1.034 in 34 IP
Any questions? It’s obvious that AJ has no faith in Posada, or in himself when Posada catches him.
@ Evan3457:
@ Everyone:
Whether the reasons are real or imagined, if Burnett doesn’t like working with Posada, there’s simply no reason to pair the two of them together.
Although it would be better if Posada was able to catch every day, I just don’t see the point of forcing the issue.
What’ll be interesting is whether they choose to line up Hughes in front of Burnett. If they do, this will affect what..3 games? That’d give Cervelli what, 9 at bats? I can live with that.
If I drive home drunk and make it there safely, it doesn’t validate the decision to do so.
Posada can’t catch every game, so it makes sense that Cervelli would get a start every so often. Burnett has been inconsistent no matter who catches him, so I wouldn’t necessarily fault Posada nor credit Cervelli.
In the PS Posada should catch. Period. If CC or Andy insisted on someone other than Posada, i’d say fine. But, Burnett has stunk up the joint, no matter who catches him. The Yanks need all good bats when Burnett is pitching.