New York Yankees: Why Jesus Montero Should Replace Jorge Posada Immediately
May 19, 2011 · Josh Benjamin · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are 42 games into their season, and former all-star catcher turned designated hitter Jorge Posada has been a disappointment thus far.
A career .274 hitter, Posada has struggled all season, posting a .177 batting average with six home runs and 15 RBI. On top of that, he was the source of a major distraction during what ultimately turned into a six-game losing streak.
During the recent series against the Boston Red Sox, the slumping Posada was told that he would be batting ninth in the lineup. Rather than be a team player and accept this, Posada asked to be benched and even considered leaving the team.
Yet he apologized the next day and returned two days later on May 17, going two-for-three with a double as the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2.
Before I go any further, I just want to make something perfectly clear: I am in no way anti-Jorge Posada. I have been a Yankees fan for 18 years and have been a Posada fan since he became a regular in 1998. I even own his jersey.
Still, despite being a fan, I think it’s time for him to save face and retire for the good of the team and for catching prospect Jesus Montero to finally debut.
Here’s why.
First, he’s 39 years old and will turn 40 in August. I know that Mariano Rivera is still able to be a force at age 41, but he hasn’t had the injury problems that have plagued Posada in recent years. He has endured shoulder, back and knee problems since 2008 and hasn’t played in more than 140 games since 2007.
Also, his offense has just dropped off over the past couple of years. While he has been an average power hitter with a decent batting average most of his career, Posada’s batting average has just been bad as of late.
Going into tonight’s game, his career batting average over 2010 and 2011 is a meager .213. On top of that, despite his career OBP of .376, he is a chronic and very frustrating to watch first-pitch swinger.
That being said, unless he undergoes a major turnaround by the all-star break, I think it’s time to cut Posada loose and promote Montero. Scouts say he is major league ready and based on the numbers, I’m going to agree with them. Montero is currently batting .318 with two home runs and 12 RBI for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
Montero should be promoted to the big league club sooner rather than later. The biggest question mark is his defense and durability, but he will have the rest of the season to work on that as well as the offseason. Keep in mind, he would most definitely spend most of this season at designated hitter.
If team management isn’t ready to make him a full-time member of the roster yet, at least call him up to see how he does on the highest level. This way, if he doesn’t do well, you’ll know that he can at least be used as good trade bait and to invest more in Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez.
Yet, if Montero does succeed, both his and the team’s potential will be sky high. This is a guy who has the potential to become a very threatening hitter not only for power, but for average. I’ve heard some scouts compare him to Joe Mauer.
Unfortunately, in order for Montero to make the big-league squad, a sacrifice has to be made. Given how Russell Martin and Francisco Cervelli have been effective at catcher this season, the thus far underachieving Jorge Posada is the odd man out. Given his recent escapades, there’s no way that he’ll agree to come off the bench and lose his spot in the starting lineup.
Long story short, the Yankees simply have to give Montero a shot. He’s a top prospect with a high ceiling and could ultimately become a Yankees legend.
If he doesn’t get his chance this season, then the Yankees could be in a lot of trouble.
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