Posada out as DH, at least for time being

August 7, 2011 by Mike Axisa 78 Comments

Via Joel Sherman, Bryan Hoch and Erik Boland, Eric Chavez will be the Yankees designated hitter “for a while.” If that doesn’t work, the Yankees will call up Jesus Montero, though they have no immediate plans to do so at the moment. “I’m not happy about it,” said now former DH Jorge Posada, “[but] I put myself in this situation.” The team told him they need to put their best lineup on the field, but he’s not a part of it.

Posada had a nice little run in late-May and early-June, but he’s hitting just .237/.289/.364 with only three homers in his last 128 plate appearances. I suspect that Chavez won’t be the DH exclusively, but rather you’ll see a bit of a rotation. Chavez at third while Eduardo Nunez gives Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano a day at DH, or Chavez at first with Mark Teixeira at DH, maybe Andruw Jones in the outfield with Curtis Granderson or Nick Swisher at DH, something like that. Either way, something had to be done.

dean

Free Montero!
mbonzo

Posada to the 8th!
Nathan

As much as I like Posada, its for the better. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many weak ground balls to the right side of the infield from Po as I have this year. He simply doesn’t have the bat speed anymore.

He’s been on the downside for a while but his bat has at least been decent enough to cover it up a bit. I was hoping that with Martin doing the daily catching that it would help keep Po as fresh (as possible) to hit but it just hasn’t worked out.

He’s a proud guy…I think this is it for #20.
- Owen Two
  
  Assuming it wouldn’t affect the standings, I’d like to see Posada catch the last inning of the last home game.
  
  A big standing O, and then a heartfelt good-bye for a True Yankee.
  - http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
    
    We’d all like to see him walk-off into the sunset, but the reality most likely will diverge from that.
  - OldYanksFan
    
    Great Idea! I’d love to see it. Start a petition.
Tom T

No HRs? Bust.

We’re turning this into a RAB cliche thread, right?
Winston Smith

And this is the right move. Posada’s done. Montero needs to be called up for Cervelli or they just need to outright release Posada. Jorge can’t catch and he can’t DH. So what’s he going to do? The Yankees now just have one more person to put out to pasture- AJ Burnett.
- OldYanksFan
  
  Maybe they can put Po on the 60 day DL instead of releasing him. That would free up a roster spot, yes?
  (Did someone before mention a strained vagina?)
CP

They’re basically trading Posada for Nunez right now. Is that really a significant upgrade?
- Kevin
  
  When Nunez can hit the ball harder and get us RBIS that Jorge can’t anymore, yes.
  - CP
    
    Nunez on the year: .274/.329/.395
    Posada in his crappy streak: .237/.289/.364
    
    He’s better, but not that much. I would have thought they’d make the change when ARod gets back and the difference is more significant.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Nunez also has the element of speed, in fairness. He can steal bases and go first-to-third, things like that. It takes three singles to score Posada from first.
- Voice of Reason
  
  If both Chavez and Nunez are going to start, Chavez really ought to be playing the field. Unfortunately Nunez is too skinny to be a DH, so Girardi’s hands are tied.
  - http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
    
    Love Chavez’s D, but DH is best for him and the Yankees. With his injury history, the Yankees should not afford to jeopardize his health down the stretch. Chavez is not an everyday infielder.
  - Mike R. – Retire 21
    
    I think the decision to DH Chavez comes down to enhancing his probability of staying healthy. I don’t think he could hold up having to play the field every day.
    - Voice of Reason
      
      It wouldn’t have to be absolutely every single day, and it would be for what? Two weeks tops? Situations like this are just what they signed him for, might as well derive as much benefit as they can.
- David, Jr.
  
  Watch him run.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

If they said Posada was not in their “best lineup” why not DL him and call up Montero? I don’t get it. Chavez being the regular DH means Nunez at 3rd which usually ends up a disaster. I love ya Jorge, but you are just hampering the team now.
- Cuso
  
  ya gotta have a legit reason to DL him, though.
  
  Posada wouldn’t allow some farce MRI to appease the Yankee brass & keep up the appearance of a phony injury.
Tom T

If Posada isn’t good enough to DH, he’s just taking up a roster spot. Can they DFA him or do they have to keep him out of respect for him accepting a meager $15 million to waste a roster spot?
- http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
  
  I think we reach that crossroads once ARod gets activated and Montero gets called up.
- Sarah
  
  I’m thinking phantom DL at that point. I seriously doubt they DFA Posada, and he’s not going to retire.
Robbiedontyaknow

You think it is possible this is the first step to bring Montero up?

If I am Cashman and I want to bring Montero up, I don’t promote him and stick Posada on the bench on the same day/week. If you did that, you would create a ton of pressure as Montero “replaces” Posada and if Montero struggled at all it would heighten the scrutiny that will be on this kid.

It is a much better approach to bench Posada and insert Chavez to “see how it goes” for a week or so. Then when you call up Montero there is a disconnect between Posada on the bench and Montero’s results on the field.

Maybe it is wishful thinking, but this would be my fist step to calling up Montero if I were Cashman.
- Owen Two
  
  I agree with you. “Montero replaces Yankee Legend” would be a media circus. But if Chavez struggles at DH, or breaks down, then there’d be a good reason to bring ‘Sus up.
- JMK
  
  Lots of THIS.
- http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
  
  Yes. Subtle genius = Cashman
Samuel

Posada’s main problem is that he takes too many pitches, especially strikes over the middle of the plate. He could get away with it in the past when he still had bat speed Plus the ability to hit well with two strikes. But now he is over matched with lots of weak swings. He should have been super aggressive with the first pitch he sees in a specific zone.
- JohnnyC
  
  I think the decline happened so quickly for Jorge that he never even thought of making changes in his approach. Now it’s much too late.
  - Mickey Scheister
    
    Or look at a guy like Berkman, who most thought was toast, he looked comparably awful LY now he’s having a fine bounce back year. Maybe it’s just an “off” year for Posada, he’s gone from being involved on every pitch to a platooning DH. He very well could have a year left as a 1Bman for another team. With all that said, for this team at this time, he’s not got much left to offer.
- hogsmog
  
  I feel like his main problem is simple as not being able to catch up to inside fastballs, combined with an inability to identify anything with a lot of break. It boils down to him only being able to hit mistakes, and always losing to a pitcher who challenges him.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

so pretty much Posada won’t play then…
http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/position/dh/league/al

For anyone who’s wondering why the Yanks are doing this, here’s why.I don’t see how Jorge has a graceful exit, unless he agrees to a DL stint and riding the pine for September. After the last blow up, I kind of doubt that’s where he is. He already demanded his release once, it seems he’s going to get his wish once Alex comes back.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  I agree. I bet Posada gets he release and Montero will be up. It’s a shame. I know people are happy that he’s out of the lineup. But, I’d like to give him a kudos and a thank you to what he’s done over the years. I’m not going to chew him up and spit him out like maybe some people may do. But i’m sorry to say, but he is officially fried. He looks completely lost at the plate right now. It’s a shame.
  - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
    
    Actually, that’s not how I see this playing out. When Alex comes back, that’s when they have to make a roster move. That’s when the decision comes on Jorge. You still don’t have a roster spot for Montero, unless you demote a pitcher. The most likely candidate is Noesi, but then you don’t have a long man. The 6 man is here to stay for a while, so there’s really nowhere to open up a spot. They won’t demote Cervelli, he’s CC’s personal catcher and the Yanks like his defense and positional flexibility.
    
    Jesus comes up September 1st, unless I’m wrong about something.
    - Owen Two
      
      That makes sense, but I wonder if there’s any value in bringing Montero up sooner? If he came up in mid-August, and Cervelli went down for 10 days, they’d both be eligible for the playoffs. ‘Sus replaces Posada as the primary DH and 3rd catcher.
      - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
        
        I know some folks don’t love Cervelli, but you have a hard time finding a scout that thinks Montero is a big league catcher. The Yanks like Cervelli, and I heard Cashman interviewed this week where he said he thinks the reason why the pitching has been better this year is in part due to his two fine defensive catchers. They like Cervelli, he’s CC’s boy and Sabthia’s having way too good a season to mess with him.
        
        Also, think about this. Just a few weeks ago, Cervelli had to play 2B because they tried to give Cano a day off. Had Montero been on the roster instead of Cervelli, you would have had to vacate the DH. That means the pitcher is batting. That could be a fiasco, we all remember what happened to Chien Ming Wang. They’re carrying a short bench as it is, Montero just exacerbates that situation.
        
        Just wait until September 1st. It will be here before you know it, and none of these issues will matter then.
      - Ed
        
        Games like that don’t work for playoff eligibility and aren’t necessary. If you have to be on the 25 man roster or the Major League DL on August 31st to be playoff eligible. If you swap Cervelli and Montero, you end up with just Montero eligible.
        
        None of that really matters though, as there’s an exception to the rule. If a player is playoff eligible but ends the season on the DL, you can replace him with any player that was in the organization on August 31.
        
        Reegie Corona and Colin Curtis are on the 60 day DL, and I believe are expected to miss the entire year. That gives you two position players you can add to the postseason roster. There are currently 5 pitchers on the 60 day DL, so that’s several more likely spots to work with.
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
  
  BTW-I know they’re carrying 13 pitchers, but then we get back to the 6 man rotation debate. Who do they send down? Noesi? Then they don’t have a long man. Ayala or Wade? Can’t, you’ll lose them.
  
  You’re currently carrying a 3 man bench, which is the bare minimum. When Alex comes back, you’ll have to make a roster move. Jorge either goes on the DL or gets cut. He has no role on the team, its an easy choice.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    Gut feeling is Ayala. His numbers are fools gold. He’s not good in pressure spots. He’s the best mop up man in the game. Noesi provides versatility and the ability to eat innings.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Ayala’s been nothing but a mop-up man for the last two months or so.
      - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
        
        A mop up man with a 1.51 ERA and 2-1 SO/BB rate. He might be pitching over his head (3.40 FIP) but he’s been a reliable cog in that pen. He’d be on waivers for 2 seconds before someone will claim him. I get that he’s not a big deal, but with a veteran Chavez/Jones DH tandem there’s not a ton of ABs for Montero. As long as Chavez is upright, I don’t see the Montero call up until September.
http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Matt Imbrogno

#MonteroMartes
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Matt Imbrogno
  
  And apparently not.
Greg C

So, he’s not even a backup at DH or Catcher. Maybe 3rd string at first. What is he now? Pinch runner?….
the Oberamtmann

What happened to the whole “Montero will be up soon” rumblings? If Posada is no longer DH, what possible reason is there to keep him down?
Rob S.

something had to be done….I agree with that but how do they justify a guy who essentially has no role on the team taking up a roster spot?
Bronx Byte

No season ever goes according to spring training plan. Nobody will ever question the heart of Jorge but his skills have eroded. The season has to move on and it will.
The DH role will be spread around between Chavez, A-Rod, and Montero when he gets the call.
mbonzo

Yankees should put him on the DL, send him to Tampa to fix his swing, Then he’ll come up around when the rosters expand and could be a nice bench option and prove himself for the playoff roster. That won’t happen though.
- http://twitter.com/aviatkin Avi Atkin
  
  I’m afraid if you want to fix his swing you’ll have to send him down to DR to meet ARod’s cousin.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

I say Posada gets his releases. For shame.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  *release
  - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
    
    He gets his releases elsewhere.
steve s

I get that Jorge is at the end of the line. Why insult the guy, though, by doing it in this fashion before a Boston ESPN Sunday night game. There were stories earlier today that his wrist was hurting which would have been a good enough reason to sit him a few days. It should matter to Yankee brass and fans how stuff like this gets handled and/or perceived.
- Dan
  
  You do it now because there is an important game to win and a stretch run to try for the division title.
  Everyone in the starting lineup of every team replaced someone else. Thats the way it is. The best guys should start. It is good to see the Yanks caring about winning as much as the fans. You’ll be facing the same situation with jeter and Arod soon enough. You will also see it with Grandy and/or Swisher if they are foolish enough to sign both. The new way of baseball is to flush as many players as possible at age 35.
  - steve s
    
    I don’t disagree with what you say but my point is do it in a way that takes into consideration who you are doing it to and how you do it. Yanks had a perfect opportunity to say Jorge is not playing tonight due to his sore wrist and is day-to-day or just say nothing instead of making a public announcement that Chavez is going to be the DH going forward. A little sensitivity for a guy of Jorge’s stature is appropriate in this situation.
    - David, Jr.
      
      What else were they to do? Can’t catch. Here is DH. Can’t DH both ways. No problem. This was way overdue.
      - Yanks27rings
        
        He’s just saying to blame it on injury for now, not outright say, “He’s cut because he sucks.”
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
  
  OK, this town aint big enough for two Steve S’s and I have no intention of going back to one of my lame “artist” incarnations.
  
  We have to find you a nickname. How about “Jorge Posada’s Roster Spot”? Has a ring to it, no?
  - steve s
    
    I’m “lower case” steve s. No one really seems to be getting confused as I’ve been posting for awhile (mostly during the week during work hours). I think there is also another poster called “The Other Steve S”. Good try as to a proposed nickname but its too topic specific. Since I am not too swift with the new stats (saw my first Yankee game in 1963!) maybe I’ll try “FIP from Finola” which sums up all I really (don’t) know about such stats in general. Enjoy the game tonight!
    - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
      
      You too, Steve-a-rino. I was just breaking your chops.
      - the Other Steve S.
        
        Hey, what about me?
Charles

D-Bitch to DH! #Amidointhisright
Logans run

Jeter and mo should have talked Po into a DL stint.
Dino Velvet

So who’s the DH next year?
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Mason Williams.
  
  BOOOOOOM
- hogsmog
  
  PRINCE FIELDER.
Total Dominication

Why no Montero?
Hall and Nokes

This was just to give ESPN something to talk about while we pound Beckett.
JobaTheHeat62

yankees caught in a tough spot cuz rosters expand in a few weeks, so they are not going to dfa posada
Alex S

Who is that with Bobby and Orel.
Ro

Hello to all you fools who think Posada will be released need a reality check. You don’t just dump a player that has been with the organization for 15 years to the curb. Yeah, sure he’s done. So. Big deal. It’s August 7th and there is less than 2 months (50 games approx) of baseball left. Rosters expand in three weeks. This move by Girardi and Cashman is a very good one to bench Posada now. They have three weeks to figure out the moving parts (get Montero up here by the end of this week) and once Sept rolls around it won’t matter. Does Posada play in the post season? Probably not, but that’s alright. We need to see the health of Chavez first. He is not being released. Jeez. Show some respect.
Nathan

The game hasn’t even started yet the men in the booth are already fawning over Pedroia. Puke.
Michael Kay

Just release him already, dammit.

Jodi doesnt like his attitude either.
celerino sanchez

Jorge isn’t giving any money back. They have been more than fair to this guy. Time for them to DFA him. He isn’t going to retire, he’ll lose too much money. I’m sick of seeing this hole in the line up. It’s over.
Craig

Personally, I’d prefer a Jones/Chavez DH but that’s just me….it keeps Chavez healthy and rested and let’s the somewhat-hot-hitting Jones play as well with our stud OF
Rainbow Connection

Good riddance, quitter.
Bavarian Yankee

it’s sad that this is very likely the way his career ends but in the end it’s about the team.