Comments on: Francisco Cervelli is the Yankees’ starting catcher

By: nyyankeefanforever

nyyankeefanforever — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:30:00 +0000

Aaron, Joe didn’t say anything about Cervelli being the “Opening Day catcher”, the “starting catcher,” or anything like it. All he indicated was he’s going to be on the roster when they head north. Also, it wasn’t “around this time last year he was demoted.” That happened less than 48 hours before the season started, and it happened because the team made a last-minute trade for Stewart — who is the better catcher and hitter, and will most likely be the “starting” catcher again. Just keeping it real.

By: lukeslice

lukeslice — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:19:30 +0000

Cervy is 7 for 9 in throwing out base-stealers this spring, that is the reason he’s the starter. When he came up he was great defensively, got into some bad habits in the majors hence his demotion last year. Yanks are hoping they’ll get what they THOUGHT they had originally; a defense-first-if-he-hits-.250+-bonus catcher.

By: stackers1

stackers1 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:28:57 +0000

As stated above by UFY1950, Cervelli has been a good solider for the Yankees. Give him the job now, and he can’t say he was never given a chance. Besides, he really is a spark-plug. He needs to keep from getting his head knocked off again.

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:01:02 +0000

This is all about depth. If they gave the job to Romine, they would have to release either Stewart or Cervelli as they are out of options. That is the same reason Stewart was on the Yankees last season instead of Cervelli: Cervelli had a option remaining. If they dump Stewart and give the job to Romine, they are kinda screwed if an injury pops up. And both Cervelli and Romine have missed significant time with injuries in recent seasons.

Plus, Romine has only played a handful of games above AA. It will not be the worst thing in the world to get a few months of AAA seasoning on him.

By: coryfor3

coryfor3 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:05:10 +0000

First, this says all you need to know about the season preview for the Yankees.
And can Austin Romine still be referred to as a catching “prospect”. If he isn’t ready to step up and claim the job with this kind of competition, then what is he going to gain or prove at AAA that will make him ready to beat out these other titans?
And is Cervelli starting because Cashman couldn’t convince Johnny Bench to take his calls?

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:41:24 +0000

This, of course, is well off the original point, which was the dismissal of Russell Martin as a mere Mendoza-line replacement-level player. He’s more than that.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:37:47 +0000

Actually, that’s somewhat of a bargain for a roughly league-averagish catcher. Do I think the difference between Russell Martin and Francisco Cervelli is worth more than $8 million? Yes, I do. For all the ragging on Martin’s offense, Cervelli’s is even worse, and while he supposedly improved his receiving skills in SWB last year, I doubt they’re up to Martin’s level.

By: turdfurgerson68

turdfurgerson68 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:14:21 +0000

All those ‘positives’ for a mere 8 million+ per season…Cashman must be out of his mind then for not resigning him!

Cervelli’s salary = $500k

Get real..you think Martin is worth 8+ mil a season?

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:59:31 +0000

When you look at the pool of catchers, a .713 OPS is hardly embarrassing. Obviously if his batting average is low, he’s not going to have a very high number of hits, but if BA isn’t illuminating, hit totals aren’t going to do any better. As for his defense, advanced metrics are weakest of all among catchers, but he scored very high in Mike Fast’s framing and blocking studies and was generally regarded as having handled the staff well.

But keep pretending I think his 21 HR were his only positives.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:50:28 +0000

I just hope he’s not getting into too many arguments there about whether it’s called Sauce or Gravy.

By: turdfurgerson68

turdfurgerson68 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:42:41 +0000

Kevin S. -

Sure you can. Saying that Martin barely hit .200 last year completely ignores his power, patience and receiving skills. No, he’s not Johnny Bench, but he was a quality catcher, much better than Cervelli is likely to show this year. Only mentioning his batting average obscures that.

==============================================================

Yeah, you’re right. Good thing Jetshorty didn’t mention his embarrassing .713 OPS or his 89 hits or his pathetic .241 caught stealing percentage.

Glad you think hitting 21 HR’s makes up for all that.

By: pisano

pisano — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:29:20 +0000

jetshorty…..One hell of a good point, Martin had to bust his ass in the last month to get to .211, but he did hit some homers. If Cervelli can hit .240 and play some defense I’m sure the Yankees will be happy. One thing about Cervelli, he brings a lot of energy to the team, and he’ll give you 100 % all the time, good luck to him.

By: sleepyirv

sleepyirv — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:07:13 +0000

I’m shocked they haven’t asked Posada to come back.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:58:43 +0000

Agreed! No problem!

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:53:45 +0000

By: skeleteeth

skeleteeth — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:38:49 +0000

He must feel right at home in the North End. Little hard to get to the ballpark on gameday though.

By: turdfurgerson68

turdfurgerson68 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:32:24 +0000

Don’t think you can say it any better than this

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:19:17 +0000

Shane Victorino went on record as saying this is a proud moment for himself and his fellow I-Talians everywhere!

By: jetshorty

jetshorty — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:04:39 +0000

I don’t see what the big deal is. Russell Martin barely hit .200 last year. everyone makes or sound like Cervelli is replacing Johnny Bench.

By: cosanostra71

cosanostra71 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:03:36 +0000

He can’t be much worse than Jeff Mathis was for the Angels, right?

By: zzalapski

zzalapski — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:59:36 +0000

You would also have no problem with Cervelli as the Yankees starting 1B, 3B, LF, DH…

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:57:05 +0000

Cervelli while being upset/disappointed/angry after being sent down last year has preserved and in my opinion deserves to be rewarded and given a shot at starting.

By: Jeremy T

Jeremy T — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:54:24 +0000

I’m cautiously not-pessimistic

By: skeleteeth

skeleteeth — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:46:34 +0000

Abbondanza!

By: If the Shoe Fits

If the Shoe Fits — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:43:57 +0000

Fist pumps for everyone!

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:40:21 +0000

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:38:51 +0000

I have no problem with Cervelli as the Yankees starting catcher.

By: randygnyc

randygnyc — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:37:27 +0000

Cervelli worked on his receiving skills, tirelessly since his demotion. He admits he got into some bad habits. His imitation of tony pena’s catching stance rubbed the coaches the wrong way. His throw to 2nd also was ineffective. Now, he’s corrected those issues. Apparently, that was enough to impress girardi. He certainly hits better than Stewart and the Yankees love Cervelli’s energy.

By: fanofevilempire

fanofevilempire — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:34:37 +0000

You better hope Holidays arm doesn’t fall off, you owe him some heavy stacks