While no formal announcement has been made, it sounds like Gustavo Molina will probably start the year as the Yanks’ backup catcher. He’s not one of those Molinas, but he is a catching Molina (it’s not just about blood) and I am therefore wary. The Yankees would have some valid reasons for choosing him: Montero and Romine aren’t ready behind the plate and would be better served by playing every day, and Molina is an excellent defensive catcher.
In fact I’ve never seen Molina play – but you know how I know he’s an excellent defensive catcher? Because, in his major league career, he has hit .122/.158/.146 with zero home runs and an OPS+ of -19. Yeah. They’re not keeping him around for his bat.
Of course, his “major league career” is only 23 games and 45 plate appearances over four years. If you look at his minor league numbers, over 11 seasons, they are significantly better — but still pretty lousy. I never expected to miss Francisco Cervelli so very much. But it’s spring, and a new season, and a time of optimism and hope generally, so who knows? Maybe Molina will guide Phil Hughes and AJ Burnett to success while improving his batting average to something crazy like .200. Stranger things have happened. Probably.
Then again if I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times… beware of Molinas, dammit.
So he's a Fauxlina...
This blows my mind. Or rather, it should blow my mind, but this is the Yankees.
None of this makes sense.
Good gracious, the Yankees are obsessed with bad-hitting backup catchers. Jose Molina, Chad Moeller, Kevin Cash, etc. What is wrong with having a backup catcher who can hit a little bit, like Montero? At one time, a guy like Cliff Johnson was considered a good backup catcher.
I understand the desire for Montero to play everyday, but he'd still get to play two to three times a week as a backup and might also get some DH at-bats against left-handers. If Montero struggles, you can always send him down. But let's try to see if he can handle the part-time role first before deciding that he can't do it.
Eh.
I *so* can't get worked up about this.
Molina vs Montero for a month just isn't going to matter.
[5] During the game today, when Joe was asked about the catching situation, Girardi repeated the phrase "4 or 5 games" several times, seemingly implying that's the amount of playing time available if Russell Martin is healthy.
If the Yankees only expect to have the backup start "4 or 5 games" before Cervelli is back (don't forget the start of the year will have plenty of off days and likely rainouts) I can't really see the purpose in keeping Romine or Montero up at the Major League level.
Far better to send them down and let them get locked in playing every day.
[6] Correct. Monty really needed to impress this Spring in order to start with the show... and he didn't. Let him get back into his stride in AAA, and Cashman can call him up when the time is right.
Between Brains, Posada, Monty and Lettuce, I don't think we really need to bitch about the BUC situation.
[7] Between Brains, Posada, Monty and Lettuce, I don’t think we really need to bitch about the BUC situation.
It's obvious that Posada will not catch at all this season, and it is increasingly clear that Montero will end up in AAA (or worse, traded), allowing the Yankees to pursue their bizarre love affair with (probably washed up) Martin, the ever awful Cervelli, and a boat load of Chad Moeller types.