In case you missed it, Yankee Manager Joe Girardi announced during last night’s postgame that Jorge Posada’s MRI showed a hairline fracture in his foot, and will be out 3-4 weeks as a result. Jorge’s name will be added to the already long list of Yankee injuries that includes Nick Swisher, Nick Johnson, Curtis Granderson, and Alfredo Aceves. Marcus Thames also left yesterday’s game early with an injury, but was diagnosed with an ankle sprain and is listed as day to day. So the Yanks currently have no backup Catcher, no regular DH and a list of uninspiring options at AAA to fill in. Let’s look at each one by one:
Jermaine Dye-First, let’s quickly dispose of any ideas that Dye would be a fit. I’d love his bat coming off the bench, and given his defensive liabilities he’d be a good fit as a DH. But signing him would mean he’d need minimum 2-3 weeks to get ready, at which point Jorge will be a few days from returning. Even if he’s kept himself in good shape (we have no idea if he has) there’s a difference between playing shape and gym work. This one just doesn’t work in terms of timing.
Austin Romine-This one gets dismissed even faster than Dye. He’s in AA and they have at least 3 other Catchers ahead of him on the positional depth chart.
Chad Moeller-Many pundits had him as the likeliest choice last night. Moeller’s a MLB veteran and a defensive specialist who you know can handle a pitching staff. But the Yanks already have a premium defender in Cervelli. What they really need is a DH who can catch if necessary, and that’s Montero. But Jesus has his own issues, which I’ll address next.
Jesus Montero-Off to a slow start this year, there were rumblings he reported into camp out of shape and has yet to get it going. He’s already been benched for lack of hustle in Durham, but has also been reported to be making big strides in his throwing from behind the plate of late. The Yanks may want to keep that defensive momentum going, and not reward him with promotion after doing little to deserve it thus far. He’s the best fit, but it would be very hard to do considering the season he’s had.
Neither Moeller or Montero is on the Yanks 40-Man roster so calling one up would mean you risk losing whoever he replaces. From that end, Chad Huffman strikes me as a likely choice of the one to go. Pitching is too fragile and bullpens are too volatile, so you can’t cut loose any of your arms at this point of the year. The Yanks like Greg Golson as pinch runner/late inning defensive replacement and have already called him up once this season. At Jeter’s age, you can’t lose the one pure SS you have at AAA in Eduardo Nunez. Kevin Russo had a very good season in Scranton last year and has the defensive flexibility that makes him too valuable to lose.
Let’s define what the need is. The Yanks already have an outstanding defensive Catcher in Cervelli. Nick Johnson and Jorge Posada were the everyday DH’s, and both have gone down with injuries. A DH who can catch would be the best fit for the club, and that’s Montero. But he’s had too many issues in AAA this year to reward him with a big league promotion and he’s too important to the team’s future to screw up his development. You want to promote a player when he has nothing left to prove at that level, and Jesus is far from that goal both with his glove and bat. My money’s on Moeller getting the call.
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15 Responses to With Posada out, could Montero get the call?
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TIQ IQ
I’m hoping for a Boone Logan DFA
You and a lot of other people. If D-Rob would get his act together (he’s been better lately) then they can do that. He’s always been better against Lefties than Righties.
I don’t really see the relevance of D-Rob. Logan sucks against everyone, no reason to keep a guy like that around. I’d rather have a right handed reliever who can pitch then a left-handed one who can’t.
A 2nd option for Lefty hitters on nights when Marte isn’t available or has already been used.
I know Logan has been awful, but they’re trying to get him going. He has a good arm for a Lefty, guys like that are hard to find.
I’m hoping for something harsher.
Abner Louima?
montero should get the call..lets throw his AAA #s out, cervelli was a .190 hitter there. what is winn still doing on this team..the guy looks like he is just learning how to hold a bat. posada will be out 4 to 5 weeks . lok at the 2 spots that went down. DH and catcher.. it is destiny for montero.
He’s the best fit, but I think the Yanks will make the conservative choice and take Moeller.
Montero has been punished of late for attitude, don’t expect him to be rewarded .
maybe the kid is disappointed , i feel if he comes up he will not have any attitudes. a little positive reinforcement.
With Regards to Montero, I don’t think the Yankees should rush him. Let him start hitting in Triple-A before promoting him. Also, I doubt the Yankees would even trust him in a part-time role behind the plate right now.
Montero could theoretically work if it is strictly a short term mindset. Bringing him up for two weeks won’t rush or prohibit his progression. Not saying I think it’s the best choice, but if done correctly it could work out okay.
No one has to go from the 40 man. Nick Johnson can be transferred to the 60 day DL to open a 40 man spot.
It would be a shortsighted move to call up Montero right now. He’s been fast tracked to AAA and he’s struggling for the first time in his career. Let him work his way through it. Plus, he needs to be playing, and preferably catching, everyday as part of his development. Just let him do his thing.
The Yankees went through something very similar to this last year and the sky didn’t fall. Go with Moeller for a couple weeks and let Jorge get healthy. We’ll get to play with the new toys soon enough.
i hope not, montero has power and is our future.with a guy on third less than 2 out …girardi rather have chad than montero… i would rather see romine. jump up..moeller is like 3 steps back .we need an offensive boost.. lets hope they give us a treat
If Posada is out for more than 2 weeks, a Montero all up would also burn a year of his free agency. He’s 20 years old, not particularly good on defense, and struggling at Triple-A. No thanks.
I feel like this is a good spot to make a short-term trade. Otherwise, it has to be Moeller. The young guys are at least half a season away. Though if the Yankees like what they see up close from a coaching perspective, Austin Romine could be an option. He’s got more Double-A experience than Cervelli did at this point.