A look at the Yankees by position: Catchers

As we near the start of Spring Training games I'm going to take a look at the Yankees catchers this season. I'll look at veterans from Jorge Posada and Russell Martin, to top prospects like Jesus Montero and Austin Romine.

C/DH. Jorge Posada: This could be Jorge Posada's last season in the major leagues, or his last season in the Bronx for the 39 year old backstop, whose contract is up at the end of the 2011 season. Posada is pretty much a legend here, winning five World Series championships and being a key leader for the dynasty teams in the '90s, but now times have changed. Posada will more than likely be a full time DH with Russell Martin being the primary guy behind the plate. The question for Posada is will he be able to adjust in being a DH? He'll need to because the Yankees care about his bat more than his glove.

C. Francisco Cervelli: Cervelli may benefit from hitting coach Kevin Long's magic. Cervelli was brought up in 2009 because of his defense when Jorge Posada and Jose Molina went down. In that '09 season Cervelli batted .298 with one of the many walk-off hits during the championship campaign; but his 2010 season can best be described in one word: rollercoaster. Cervelli batted .360 in April, but come June, July, and August he batted .180, .214, and .233, respectively. In September, Cervelli was red hot again, batting .394, thus making his batting average for the season a solid .271. However, the side Cervelli is supposedly good at, his defense, isn't quite as good as advertised. Although he has ninja like reflexes behind the plate and a rocket arm, Cervelli had 13 errors in a limited role. He also threw out just 14% of base runners, a very alarming rate for a guy of his caliber. In 2009 Cervelli threw out 43% of base runners, and committed just one error in 40 games. It is still uncertain if he will or will not have a spot on the roster once the season heats up. The question for Cervelli is can he return to his '09 form defensively? Will he even have a spot on the team this year?

C. Jesus Montero: Montero is the top prospect in the Yankees farm system and the number nine prospect in all of Major League Baseball according to MLB.com's Top 50 Prospect list. Montero is supposed to have a plus bat because when he has a bat in his hand, he can be lethal; but his skills behind the plate are something he still needs to work on. Montero batted .289 with 21 homeruns and 75 RBI's for the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 123 games. The question for Montero is will we have more Jesus Montero references in the trade front, or on the field with the New York Yankees? Montero would be a key piece in a deal for an ace type starter, like Felix Hernandez or Chris Carpenter. Last year he was involved in trade talks between the Yankees and Seattle Mariners in a deal that fell through at the last minute for Cliff Lee.

C. Austin Romine: Austin Romine is the second Yankee catching prospect that has a small chance to make the club but, since he has less experience he probably won't get called up this year, but Romine has plenty of potential. Unlike Montero, Austin Romine is stronger behind the plate then he is with the bat, but can definitely still hit. Austin batted .268 with 10 homers and 69 RBI's for the AA Trenton Thunder. Like Jesus Montero, the question for Austin Romine is will he be subject of trade rumors as the season goes along? He's probably the second option, if not the third Yankee catching prospect option. Gary Sanchez, another Yankee catching prospect, is on the MLB.com Top 50 Prospects list while Romine is not. I have a feeling by the time July 31st passes one of these guys will be in another uniform while an ace comes to town.

C. Russell Martin: Because of Jorge Posada's age and ineffectiveness behind the plate, Francisco Cervelli's lack of bat, and the lack of experience from Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, GM Brian Cashman brought in the former Dodger to be the primary catcher. Russell Martin had a rough season last year in LA suffering a hip injury while batting just .248 in 97 games. However, Martin's play behind the plate is the reason why he was brought in after he threw out 39% of the runners who tried to steal against his team. Since the Boston Red Sox have speedsters Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury on their team it is key that Martin can keep that up. The question for Martin is, how will he be able to handle New York? Martin played in relaxed Los Angeles, how will he be able to handle the scrutiny of New York? Also, Russell Martin will have to deal with his knee injury that could force him to miss his first spring training game. That will be another thing to watch closely with Martin.

There you have it. Those are the Yankees catchers this season, from future hall of famer Jorge Posada to guys like Jesus Montero and Austin Romine who may or may not make next years catching preview article if they are still in the Yankees organization. Next time I'll break down the Yankees starting pitchers. Stay tuned!

Moves that Cashman must make now that Lee is in Philly

Following the stunning news of Cliff Lee signing with the Philadelphia Phillies the Yankees still have a hole to fill in their starting rotation even if Andy Pettitte comes back. They could go to the trade market, the free agent market, or they could go young with Ivan Nova. I’d go with Nova, but we’ll see. But those aren’t the only moves that need to be made.

                Not only do the Yankees need to get at least one other starter they still have holes to fill. They need to finish out the bullpen, bench, and figure out who the starting catcher is.

                With the Yankees signing former Dodger catcher Russell Martin they have a solid everyday catcher. Marin had good seasons with LA in 2006-2009 but struggled in 2010. He should be rejuvenated playing in a big time market on the east coast. He has a very good arm. He, unlike Francisco Cervelli and Jorge Posada, can throw out base runners consistently. It’s a nice sign by Brian Cashman and it could spell the end for Jesus Montero, who could eventually be traded to a club with an elite starting pitcher. Remember he was offered for Cliff Lee when he was in Seattle and Roy Halladay when he was in Toronto. Also this move keeps Austin Romine in the minors and Francisco Cervelli to the backup catcher spot.

                In the bullpen they re-signed Mariano Rivera. A slam dunk move. They released standout reliever Alfredo Aceves. The Yankees are reportedly willing to sign him to a minor league deal and an invitation to spring training. The Yankees then re-signed Sergio Mitre who had a 3.33 era in the regular season. The Yankees also let go long relievers Chad Gaudin and Dustin Mosley to the Nationals and Padres, respectively. Also, the Yankees signed one of the best lefties on the market in former Met Pedro Feliciano. That’s a very good move because he’s a lefty that can get lefties out; he’s pitched in New York, obviously. And if used right he’ll be a great asset. The Yankees could still sign one more right handed reliever now that Kerry Wood recently turned down a two year, 10 million dollar offer from the Yankees and Red Sox to sign with the Cubs for one year and one and a half million. They could make a splash and sign closer Rafael Soriano to be the setup man until Rivera retires. Or they could sign former Ray Grant Balfour. That’s a more likely option.

                And finally, the Yankees need to fill out their bench. You know Francisco Cervelli will be there and either Ramiro Pena or Eduardo Nunez will man the pine. But that leaves two spots there. I argued that the Yankees should resign Melky Cabrera. But that’s a moot point because he signed with the Kansas City Royals. They could sign former Yankee Jerry Hairston. As we saw in ’09 he can play infield and outfield at a solid rate, and he’s cheap. Also the Yankees could sign Marcus Thames. But he was used mostly as a DH. That won’t work this year because Jorge Posada will be the primary DH. I say they will sign another power bat just incase.