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New York Yankees Should Look To Posada For DH

May 17, 2010 · Larry Barnes · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees

By Larry Barnes | Yankees ‘n More
There are reports that the Yankees, in the extended absence of Nick Johnson, will turn to Juan Miranda to be the designated hitter. Of course, they will also use the spot to get some of their veterans the proverbial “half-day off,” as they are tonight with Alex Rodriguez.

We like the idea of looking from within to fill the void at DH, we just think the Yankees are looking in the wrong spot. They should be looking at Jorge Posada, who is unavailable for tonight’s series opener against Boston and listed as day-to-day after taking a foul ball off the foot on Sunday.

This will be the second time this season the 38-year-old Posada has missed time with a a relatively minor injury. Obviously, he’s not getting any younger. More games at designated hitter could only help him stay healthy.

Moreover, the Yankees already have a significantly better defensive option for the catcher position with Francisco Cervelli. We have said this before, and it bears repeating, there is nothing from a defensive point of view that Cervelli does not do significantly better than Posada does.

Meanwhile, Cervelli has also been one of the hottest hitters, if not the hottest hitter, for a team that has had trouble consistently scoring runs of late. Finding more playing time for the young catcher should be desired by now, rather than something the Yankees are forced to live with because of injuries.

In fact, Cervelli has started three of the Yankees last six games while not playing at all in the other three. New York is 3-0 while scoring 8 runs, 8 runs and 7 runs during the three games in which Cervelli played. They are 0-3 while scoring 0 runs, 0 runs and 3 runs during the games in which he sat.

That’s not to suggest Cervelli is responsible for all the Yankees success during the three wins, but he certainly helps, both on defense and offense.

So if the Yankees need to bring up Chad Moeller to have an emergency catcher, then do it already! Right now this team needs the bats of both Posada and Cervelli (.400+ for 31 May at-bats) in the lineup.

Consider the significant upgrade to the defense at such a critical position as a nice bonus.

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