Yankee Catcher Dillema: Is Jorge Posada Rushing his Return?

Jorge Posada is a New York Yankee to the bone.  So it was no surprise last week when asked by General Manager Brian Cashman if he would truly be ready to catch and throw around 120 games for the '09 season, Posada didn't flinch.

"He looked me in the eye and he swears that he's going to be back, as good as ever," Cashman said, according to Yankees.com.

This should come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to Jorge Posada, especially Yanks fans.

It is encouraging to hear and also exciting to think how strong we would have been this past season, and will be next season with a healthy Jorge Posada.  There is a catch, however, pride does not control the body. That was pride talking to Cash when the topic was brought up.

Is it realistic to think that Posada will be ready to crouch behind the dish and be effective while doing so?  A comment was made by former Yankee catcher, John "Flash" Flaherty during a YES Network game broadcast—he stated that it takes a lot longer than six months of rehab to get back to 100 percent. 

Is having Posada behind the dish before he is fully ready, worth the risk of possibly losing him for another season?  Is it a better idea to risk hurting his pride, or aggravating that injury again before it is 100 percent?

One would hope that they take the proper precautions and force Posada to nurse his shoulder back to top condition, regardless of what he says he is capable of.  His pride may just be what got him where he is in the first place.

One thing is certain, Posada will never lay down—he just won't.  That heart is what makes him so amazing and what makes him a true Yankee by definition. 

Hopefully the Yankee brass is aware and prepared for that.  The man is a secondary captain of sorts, obviously without the official title, but he is every bit as much a leader as Derek Jeter.  He brings a very valuable presence in the dugout, on the field, and in the clubhouse.

There are two concerns here: Say Posada is healthy enough to take the field consistently and play the position he so dearly covets.  The obvious concern has been stated, will he truly be ready? 

The next, and more important issue is this. What if he is not ready?  What if he suffers a set-back in rehab?

With all the talk of what areas need attention this off season, why aren't the Yankees or the experts talking about the very real possibility that Posada will not be ready, or even capable.  Shoulder injuries are very strange, its not like he's having a Tommy John injury or something. 

What happens if the worse comes to pass?  Are the Yankees ready to rely on Jose Molina's  three home runs, 18 RBI, and .216 batting average?  He is a great catcher, he really is, and he has a howitzer attached to his shoulder.  It truly is a treat to watch guys try and steal on him.  He handles a pitching staff extremely well, but due respect being given, the man is a backup and will not amount to more.

Ivan Rodriguez, one of the greatest catchers the game has known, is about to take his .301 lifetime average, his 13 gold gloves, and a World Series ring with him on his way out the door.

What is about to be written will sound like sacrilege coming from a die hard Yanks fan, but it may be true, like it or not. 

While the Yankees are trying to get younger sometimes it just isn't practical to put a rookie or a no name in such a prestigious position as Yankee catcher.  It seems extremely risky both to the success of the team and the career of Posada to expect him to perform consistently all year at the position, even at say 80 percent. 

Why not just lay down the Posada rules, similar to what the Yanks did with Chamberlain during the '07 season?  Let him catch, keep him crisp in the position.  Do not let him dictate how often that happens though. Let the man catch, and DH on the days he does not.  Of all the bats available and needing DH time, Posada's bat holds the most clout. 

Retain Pudge, he is a lock hall-of-famer who regardless of what happened this year is still a viable talent on both sides of the dish.  It is unfair to judge his performance in the Bronx this year due to the simple fact that he was learning a varying pitching staff  that changed like the weather, for the second half of the year.  That isn't easy coming out of spring training much less in mid-season.  His bat will come around—make him the everyday catcher.

Finally, it really is sad to write this, but trade Molina.  His bat is nothing to write home about but as mentioned, his 47.9% caught stealing and throwing out a major league leading 22 would be base-stealers is enough to garner some attention. 

Perhaps these are not realistic options considering the moves projected for this offseason.  One thing is certain, the most devastating thing that could happen is to believe what Posada says and allow him to catch himself into mediocrity.  He is and always has been far from that. 

It would be the worst move to make, letting his pride hurt the Yankees by not protecting him, and allowing him to call the shots in regards to his capabilities.  His shoulder could be jello, but he will tell you he is fine. 

The problem will be when Chone Figgins  or Jacoby Ellsbury are standing on first, he will no longer be able to deny it.  Nor will the front office.  It may be too late by then.

In the end, the Yankees front office cannot count on Posada's word that he will be ready.  Posada may not be physically capable of admitting that he needs to tone it down and take few steps back to finally move forward. 

Again, he is a Yankee to the bone, and that is why Yankee fans everywhere adore him.  By now, they should know better than to believe Posada can out run his age and current situation.  Its time to consider an alternative to having Posada behind the dish everyday before he is lost as a Yankee catcher forever.

First base is always there as an option, but both he and Yankee fans everywhere are tired of hearing about first base being the refuge for players who can't play their respective positions anymore.  The Yankees need a real first baseman, but that is a topic for another entire article.  Suffice to say, Posada does not plan on playing first base, and he shouldn't.  He can still catch, he just needs to take his time.

Finally, this article is not to say Posada is not a professional.  It is not to assume that if he is not capable he will not be honest about it.  The thing is, he has shown over time what type of man and Yankee he is. 

It is almost certain that he feels partly responsible for some of what didn't happen this year for the Yankees.  Guaranteed, he thinks the outcome would have been different if he was in the mix.  He is more than likely chomping at the bit to come back yesterday and will do anything to make that happen.  Even if it means convincing himself that he is ready and believing that so much he runs right through the flags trying to make it so. 

Hurry back Jorge, but make sure you're ready, sir.  The Yankees and Yankee fans everywhere miss you and need you.  Not just for next year, but until the sad day your career as a ballplayer comes to pass. Don't limit those years by rushing back too soon. 

We need you Jorge, you're one of the last true Yankees of recent memory—do it right.

Hit Hit Jorge!  Hit Hit Jorge!  Hit Hit Jorge!