Posada still has to take a physical, and the two sides have to handle some contract language, but The Post has learned the Yankees have agreed in principle to a four-year, $52.4 million deal with their 36-year-old All-Star catcher and emotional leader.
I've never been a big Jorge fan, but I think unlike some other people, he really does love the idea of being a Yankee and let's face it, who out there is a better option? There really are no quality catchers available. The only realistic idea I would have entertained would have been to bring Jose Molina back as the starter since finding a back-up catcher would be a lot easier. Molina is a FAR superior defender and a good enough hitter to fill the bill every day. That's obviously not happening now. Of course, the Yankees may be "stuck" with a rapidly declining 38 and 39 year-old catcher by the end of this contract. I hope by that time the Yankees will have groomed their next backstop through the minor league system, maybe bringing him along much the way Jorge was by Joe Girardi. He'll even have the benefit of having both Posada, Girardi and Tony Pena help him along...whoever it is. In that time, Jorge will also have invested in a new first baseman's glove. Not as a full-timer, but splitting time between catcher, first base and DH. Of course, that's my hope. I have no idea if the Yankees share this vision, but they would be fools not to. They're also bringing back another postseason "choker." He has a career .236 average in the postseason, but aside from the numbers, he always disappears in the postseason. He killed them this year, hitting .133 with two walks, but as I said, numbers aside, he always just disappears. Aside from his home run in the Derek Jeter flip game and his ninth inning two out walk in the clincher vs. the Mets in 2000, you'd be hard pressed to find another stand out Jorge moment. Even those two you might have a hard time recalling. Here's two even more obscure Jorge post season moments. The two-run home run in Game Five of the 1999 ALCS to put the Red Sox away for good (off the always clutch Tom Gordon...the Yankees should have taken note.) And way back in Game Two of the 1995 ALDS vs. the Mariners. The Yankees were trailing 5-4 in the 12th after a Ken Griffey Jr. home run in the top of the frame. Wade Boggs walked and who else would go in to pinch hit but the speedy Jorge Posada (go figure.) After a Bernie Williams walk and a Paul O'Neill fly out, Ruben Sierra clocked a double to left center, scoring Jorge Posada. Williams was thrown out at home, but the Yankees went on to win the game on the first of Jim Leyritz' clutch post season home runs. Back on the main topic, whether you're a Jorge Posada fan or not, you probably have to admit the market is even weaker than the third base market. Posada loves the Yankees, loves New York, works tirelessly (with little to show on the defensive end) and despite his postseason failures, is still one of the better offensive catchers in the league. Plus, we get to see his wife every once in a while...which is always a good thing.
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