A few weeks ago, I wondered when the Yankees would choose to utilize Francisco Cervelli, the team’s defensively skilled backup catcher. “In 2009,” I wrote, “Jose Molina became A.J. Burnett’s regular catcher, and that seemed to work in terms of providing ample playing time to the backup and resting [Jorge] Posada (even if you disagreed with the reasoning behind the pairing, it had its share of benefits).” Essentially, while I thought the partnership between Molina and Burnett was questionable mainly because it was done for defensive purposes, purposes that were driven by small pools of data, it had its advantages, in that it allowed the 38-year old Posada to receive much needed rest.
I further pondered, in that post from early April, whether or not the Yankees would do something similar this season, for similar reasons, this time with Cervelli and another Yankee starter. “Will we see Cervelli become a pitcher’s regular catcher this season, as well? After the Burnett-Posada drama we witnessed through yesterday,” I wrote, “it is doubtful that Cervelli would end up being Burnett’s catcher, but could he be used with CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Javier Vazquez, or Phil Hughes? It is definitely a possibility,” I concluded. Now that Cervelli and CC Sabathia have had two particularly strong consecutive outings, is it possible the two will continue to work together in the future?
I think it is very likely that such a pairing will occur and, if it does, I won’t criticize the personal catcher motif as much as I did a year ago, if at all. My reasoning is simple. Jorge Posada is inching closer to 40 and could use the extra rest that a CC-Cervelli combination would provide. In addition, Cervelli is nowhere near as bad as Molina is with a bat (he has very little power, but can at least get a few hits and is a better baserunner), so that is something to consider. Plus, CC is good enough to win with Posada on the bench and lesser offensive production backing his pitching line.
Whereas in 2009, the Burnett-Molina duo was done for defensive reasons, I see the CC-Cervelli duo, if they actually turn out to be regular battery mates, to be more about safeguarding Jorge Posada and making sure he’s fresh. To keep Posada happy, the Yankees could throw him a couple of CC starts, but having Cervelli catch CC most of the time seems like a good idea. Sure, they have worked well together, but that is not the main reason for the pairing. As a manager, I would suspect one would find solace in knowing that the two have been productive in the past, however.
Photo by the AP
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7 Responses to Pairing CC and Cervelli
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TIQ IQ
i think they should do it based on who the opposition is sending out there to the mound…if its a mediocre pitcher, i play Cervelli, regardless of who is pitching for us, and if its a damn good pitcher, i put Posada in….and if its an average pitcher, you can make a judgement call based on posadas workload.
I think Cervelli catches more than CC. But I’m trying to figure out who.
The Yankees seem to be going out of their way-at least early on, to make sure Burnett and Posada make it work.
Pettitte works well with Posada. How many times did Cervelli and Pettitte hook up last year? I don’t recall.
That leaves Hughes and Vasquez. I’m going to guess besides CC, that he’ll be catching both a good amount.
While I agree Cervelli should catch at least 1 in 5 games (and likely more -this would have Jorge catching 120 games), I don’t believe it necessary to do so by pairing him up with a specific pitcher. First, CC can perform just as well with Jorge on the mound. Second, establishing a personal catcher,whatever the reason, will cause the same playoff issue that arose with AJ last year. Third, Cervelli should be given the expience of handling all our pitchers. Likewise, and finally, Jorge should be kept fresh with our rotation so that there are no “communication issues” in the post season.
Misterd, I agree—I think that CC and Jorge can be just as effective as CC and Cervelli. My concern is mainly for Posada, who could benefit from some additional rest. I don’t think the personal catcher thing will be a big deal if explained in that vein – to help Posada rest his older body – and, because Jorge and CC have worked with each other successfully in the past, and assuming Cervelli doesn’t catch all of CC’s starts, I think Jorge and CC would be fine come the playoffs.
Someday you guys will “get” that Jorge is a great hitter, good teammate and just a terrible catcher.
Can’t catch or block wild pitches, frame, call a game, block the plate and now doesn’t throw well anymore either.
We love him but he just is a bad, bad defensive catcher playing on a great team.
I think that we should try Vasquez with Cervelli and see how that goes. If Vasquez pitches well against the red-hot A’s tonight, then I think Cervelli should get another shot at being Javy’s personal catcher because so far it hasn’t really worked out with Posada catching. I know personal catcher is not wanted but if it is going to help Javy pitch better then hell, why not?
Well the CC-Cervelli plan didn’t work out so well against the Mets. :(
A lot of questionable pitch selections in that game. I don’t know to blame Cervelli, CC or Girardi, though.