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Jorge Posada bailed on his manager and ripped his general manager in the span of just a few hours Saturday night. And he did it all from what one would surmise is a position of weakness: As a fading veteran with a .165 batting average.
With those factors in mind, how long do the New York Yankees tolerate the situation?
The morning after the Posada Saga blew up on national television, embarrassing manager to manager Joe Girardi but perhaps above all, Posada himself, it's clear that nothing will ever be the same for the prinicipals involved.
It's obvious Posada will become an ex-Yankee much sooner rather than later, certainly when his contract expires after this season. The $13.1 million question: How soon do the Yankees cut bait? And are they willing to swallow nearly $10 million in salary to make him go away?
It's also clear Girardi is in the throes of the first major clubhouse test of his tenure. Can he isolate the damage to just one brooding veteran, or will Posada's disenchantment at all undermine Girardi's authority?
And can he balance these and other delicate issues at a time the Yankees are not playing particularly well?
The only consensus thus far: The Yankees' season just got a lot more challenging.
Longtime Yankees observer Bob Klapisch thinks Girardi failed this test.
Writes Klapisch:
Girardi, as usual, missed an opportunity to make that point. He had the chance to say no one is bigger than the team. He had enough leverage against Posada to strengthen his hold over the rest of the Yankees.
Instead, the manager covered for Posada, saying, "Everyone needs a day off now and then, especially when you're struggling."
If that's the best Girardi could do, the Yankees deserve better, because there's a storm gathering, both in the standings and in the clubhouse. Is anyone even in charge?
The Daily News' John Harper is a bit more forgiving, noting that Girardi has several tricky situations to negotiate, including the specter of moving Derek Jeter down in the lineup. And Harper notes the Posada situation is "no small matter" for Girardi, since Jeter and Posada are apparently BFFs.
Joel Sherman of the Post notes that this is what happens when a club tries to handle its aging stars gracefully, but ends up with a rotting core.
From a pure production standpoint, the Yankees do have options if Posada doesn't get it going and they'd rather eliminate a potential distraction. They can utilize the DH spot to get veterans such as Jeter, Alex Rodriguez or even Mark Teixeira out of the field for a day.
And of course, prized prospect Jesus Montero is lurking at Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.). He's currently hitting .322and looks ready for a challenge.
With those factors in mind, how long do the New York Yankees tolerate the situation?
The morning after the Posada Saga blew up on national television, embarrassing manager to manager Joe Girardi but perhaps above all, Posada himself, it's clear that nothing will ever be the same for the prinicipals involved.
It's obvious Posada will become an ex-Yankee much sooner rather than later, certainly when his contract expires after this season. The $13.1 million question: How soon do the Yankees cut bait? And are they willing to swallow nearly $10 million in salary to make him go away?
It's also clear Girardi is in the throes of the first major clubhouse test of his tenure. Can he isolate the damage to just one brooding veteran, or will Posada's disenchantment at all undermine Girardi's authority?
And can he balance these and other delicate issues at a time the Yankees are not playing particularly well?
The only consensus thus far: The Yankees' season just got a lot more challenging.
Longtime Yankees observer Bob Klapisch thinks Girardi failed this test.
Writes Klapisch:
Girardi, as usual, missed an opportunity to make that point. He had the chance to say no one is bigger than the team. He had enough leverage against Posada to strengthen his hold over the rest of the Yankees.
Instead, the manager covered for Posada, saying, "Everyone needs a day off now and then, especially when you're struggling."
If that's the best Girardi could do, the Yankees deserve better, because there's a storm gathering, both in the standings and in the clubhouse. Is anyone even in charge?
The Daily News' John Harper is a bit more forgiving, noting that Girardi has several tricky situations to negotiate, including the specter of moving Derek Jeter down in the lineup. And Harper notes the Posada situation is "no small matter" for Girardi, since Jeter and Posada are apparently BFFs.
From a pure production standpoint, the Yankees do have options if Posada doesn't get it going and they'd rather eliminate a potential distraction. They can utilize the DH spot to get veterans such as Jeter, Alex Rodriguez or even Mark Teixeira out of the field for a day.
And of course, prized prospect Jesus Montero is lurking at Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.). He's currently hitting .322and looks ready for a challenge.
Posted in: Sports News
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